<PAGE>   1





                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                                 BY AND AMONG

                         SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

                          FIRST FEDERAL OF THE SOUTH

                                     AND

                  FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

                              OF CHILTON COUNTY

                          DATED AS OF APRIL 14, 1997
<PAGE>   2

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     PAGE
                                                                                                                     ----

<S>             <C>                                                                                                    <C>
PREAMBLE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1


ARTICLE 1       TERMS OF MERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
     1.1        Merger  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
     1.2        Time and Place of Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
     1.3        Effective Time  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1



ARTICLE 2       TERMS OF MERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
     2.1        Federal Stock Charter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
     2.2        Bylaws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
     2.3        Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2



ARTICLE 3       MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
     3.1        Conversion of Shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
     3.2        Anti-Dilution Provisions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
     3.3        Shares Held by Chilton County or SouthFirst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
     3.4        Fractional Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
     3.5        Conversion of Stock Options, Warrants, and Other Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5



ARTICLE 4       EXCHANGE OF SHARES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     4.1        Exchange Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     4.2        Dissenting Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     4.3        Rights of Former Chilton County Shareholders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6



ARTICLE 5       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CHILTON COUNTY  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
     5.1        Organization, Standing, and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
     5.2        Authority; No Breach by Agreement.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
     5.3        Capital Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     5.4        Chilton County Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     5.5        Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     5.6        Absence of Certain Changes or Events  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     5.7        Tax Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     5.8        Allowance for Possible Loan Losses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
     5.9        Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
     5.10       Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
     5.11       Compliance with Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11


</TABLE>



                                      i
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>             <C>                                                                                                    <C>
     5.12       Labor Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
     5.13       Employee Benefit Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
     5.14       Material Contracts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
     5.15       Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
     5.16       Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
     5.17       Statements True and Correct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
     5.18       Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
     5.19       Federal Stock Charter Provisions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
     5.20       Derivatives Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14



ARTICLE 6       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SOUTHFIRST AND

                FIRST FEDERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
     6.1        Organization, Standing, and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
     6.2        Authority; No Breach By Agreement.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
     6.3        Capital Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
     6.4        SouthFirst Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
     6.5        SEC Filings; Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
     6.6        Absence of Certain Changes or Events  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
     6.7        Tax Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
     6.8        Allowance for Possible Loan Losses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
     6.9        Assets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
     6.10       Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
     6.11       Compliance With Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
     6.12       Labor Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
     6.13       Employee Benefit Plans  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
     6.14       Material Contracts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
     6.15       Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
     6.16       Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
     6.17       Statements True and Correct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
     6.18       Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
     6.19       Derivatives Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22



ARTICLE 7       CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
     7.1        Affirmative Covenants of Chilton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
     7.2        Negative Covenants of Chilton County  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
     7.3        Covenants of SouthFirst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
     7.4        Adverse Changes In Condition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
     7.5        Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
     7.6        Control of Chilton County by SouthFirst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24

ARTICLE 8       ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
     8.1        Registration Statement; Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement; Shareholder Approvals . . . . . . . . . . .  24
     8.2        Applications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
</TABLE>





                                      ii
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>             <C>                                                                                                    <C>
     8.3        Filings With State Offices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
     8.4        Agreement As To Efforts To Consummate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
     8.5        Access to Information; Confidentiality  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
     8.6        Dividend Payment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
     8.7        Current Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
     8.8        Other Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
     8.9        Press Releases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
     8.10       Affiliates  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
     8.11       Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
     8.12       Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
     8.13       No Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
     8.14       Listing of Shares on the American Stock Exchange  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29



ARTICLE 9       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
     9.1        Conditions to Obligations of Each Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
     9.2        Conditions to Obligations of SouthFirst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
     9.3        Conditions to Obligations of Chilton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32



ARTICLE 10      TERMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
     10.1       Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33



ARTICLE 11      MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
     11.1       Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
     11.2       Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
     11.3       Brokers and Finders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
     11.4       Entire Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
     11.5       Amendments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
     11.6       Obligations of SouthFirst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
     11.7       Waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
     11.8       Assignment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
     11.9       Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
     11.10      Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
     11.11      Captions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
     11.12      Enforcement of Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
     11.13      Survival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
     11.14      Severability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
     11.15      Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
     11.16      Liquidation Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46

</TABLE>




                                     iii
<PAGE>   5

                               LIST OF EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              EXHIBIT
              NUMBER                                   DESCRIPTION
              ------                                   -----------
                 <S>                <C>
                 1                  Form of Election for Holders of Chilton County
                                    Common Stock

                 2                  Employment Agreement dated _____ __, 1997 between
                                    Bobby R. Cook and First Federal of the South



</TABLE>


                                      iv
<PAGE>   6

                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

     THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of April 14, 1997, by and among SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
("SouthFirst"), a Delaware  corporation having its principal office located in
Sylacauga, Alabama; FIRST FEDERAL OF THE SOUTH ("First Federal"), a federally
chartered stock savings bank having its principal office located in Sylacauga,
Alabama, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of SouthFirst; and FIRST FEDERAL
SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF CHILTON COUNTY ("Chilton County"), a federally
chartered stock savings and loan association having its principal office
located in Clanton, Alabama.

                                   PREAMBLE

     The Boards of Directors of Chilton County, First Federal and SouthFirst
are of the opinion that the acquisition described herein is in the best
interests of the parties and their respective shareholders. This Agreement
provides for the acquisition of Chilton County by SouthFirst pursuant to the
merger of Chilton County with and into First Federal (the "Merger").  At the
effective time of such Merger, the outstanding shares of the capital stock of
Chilton County shall be converted into the right to receive shares of the
common stock of SouthFirst and cash (except as provided herein). As a result,
certain of the shareholders of Chilton County shall become shareholders of
SouthFirst. The transactions described in this Agreement are subject to the
approvals of the shareholders of SouthFirst and Chilton County, the Office of
Thrift Supervision, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the
satisfaction of certain other conditions described in this Agreement. It is the
intention of the parties to this Agreement that the Merger (as hereinafter
defined) for federal income tax purposes shall qualify as a "reorganization"
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

     Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 11.1 of this
Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and the mutual warranties,
representations, covenants, and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree
as follows:

                                  ARTICLE 1

                               TERMS OF MERGER

     1.1        MERGER.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
at the Effective Time, Chilton County shall be merged with and into First
Federal in accordance with the applicable provisions of the regulations of the
Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS").  The separate corporate existence of
Chilton County shall thereupon cease, and First Federal shall be the Surviving
Bank resulting from the Merger.  The Merger shall be consummated pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement, which has been approved and adopted by the
respective Boards of Directors of Chilton County, First Federal and SouthFirst.

     1.2        TIME AND PLACE OF CLOSING.  The Parties shall use their
reasonable efforts to cause the closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement to take place at 9:00 A.M. on or before October 31, 1997, or at
such other time as the Parties, acting through their chief executive officers
or chief financial officers, may mutually agree, provided that such closing
shall not occur prior to the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3 hereof).
The place of closing shall be at such location as may be mutually agreed upon
by the Parties.

     1.3        EFFECTIVE TIME.  The Merger and other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement shall become effective on the date and at the time all
necessary consents have been issued with respect to the





                                      1
<PAGE>   7

Merger and the conditions of Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of this Agreement have been
satisfied (or, if applicable, waived) by the appropriate Party (the "Effective
Time"). Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, unless otherwise mutually
agreed upon in writing by each Party, the Effective Time shall occur on the
last to occur of (i) the effective date (including expiration of any applicable
waiting period) of the last required Consent of any Regulatory Authority having
authority over and approving or exempting the Merger if such action is
required, and (ii) the date on which the shareholders of each of Chilton
County, First Federal and SouthFirst approve this Agreement, to the extent such
approval is required by applicable Law.  Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, the Merger shall not be effective unless and until the Merger
receives necessary approval from the OTS pursuant to 12 C.F.R. Section
563.22(a).

                                  ARTICLE 2

                               TERMS OF MERGER

     2.1        FEDERAL STOCK CHARTER.  Pursuant to the Merger, the Federal
Stock Charter of First Federal in effect at the Effective Time shall be the
Federal Stock Charter of the Surviving Bank until otherwise amended or
repealed.

     2.2        BYLAWS.  Pursuant to the Merger, the Bylaws of First Federal in
effect at the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Bank until
otherwise amended or repealed.

     2.3        DIRECTORS.  Upon the Effective Time, the directors of First
Federal shall continue as the directors of the Surviving Bank, provided that
three of the current directors of Chilton County shall, on or before the
Effective Time, be elected as directors of the Surviving Bank, to serve until
the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Surviving Bank; and further
provided that one of said three directors shall be elected as a director of
SouthFirst to serve until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of
SouthFirst.

                                  ARTICLE 3

                         MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES

     3.1        CONVERSION OF SHARES.  Subject to the provisions of this
Article 3, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of Chilton County, First Federal or SouthFirst or the
shareholders of any of the foregoing, the shares of the parties shall  be
converted as follows:

                (a)       Each share of SouthFirst Common Stock, and each Right
of SouthFirst, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time,
shall remain issued and outstanding from and after the Effective Time.

                (b)       Each share of Chilton County Common Stock outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than shares held by a
shareholder who exercises dissenters' rights under the applicable provisions of
12 C.F.R.  Section   552.14 (the "Dissenter Provisions") and shares which shall
be canceled without consideration at the Effective Time pursuant to Section 3.3
of this Agreement shall, based on the election of the holders thereof, be
exchanged for and converted into, upon surrender of the certificates
theretofore representing such Chilton County Common Stock, the right to receive
either (i) $30.00 per share, the "Cash Price Per Share," (ii) the "Stock Price
Per Share" (as determined below) or (iii) any combination of the Cash Price Per
Share and the Stock Price Per Share; subject to the provisions of paragraph (e)
hereof and provided that no single share of Chilton County Common Stock may be
converted into a combination of the Cash Price Per Share or the Stock Price Per
Share.





                                      2
<PAGE>   8


                (c)       The election to exchange shares of Chilton County
Common Stock for the Cash Price Per Share or the Stock Price Per Share, or a
combination thereof, shall be made by Chilton County Stockholders no less than
10 Business Days prior to the Effective Time by submission to SouthFirst of the
Form of Election, provided herein as Exhibit 1, which shall be provided by
SouthFirst to each of the Chilton County Stockholders along with the
Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement prior to the Effective Time (provided that
SouthFirst may, in its discretion, extend the time period during which Chilton
County Stockholders must submit the Form of Election, but not beyond the
Effective Time).  In the event that any Chilton County Stockholder fails to
submit the Form of Election to SouthFirst within the prescribed time period (as
may be extended), then SouthFirst, in its sole discretion, and with the
intention of preserving the "reorganization" status of the Merger under Section
368(a) of the Code, shall determine the form of the conversion and exchange of
the Chilton County Common Stock of such Chilton County Stockholder.

                (d)       The Stock Price Per Share shall be determined by
multiplying the Average Closing Price by the Exchange Ratio as set forth more
fully below:

                   (i)    If the Average Closing Price SouthFirst Common Stock
                          is no less than $12.00 and no greater than $14.00,
                          then the exchange ratio for each share of Chilton
                          County Common Stock shall be that number of shares of
                          SouthFirst Common Stock equal to the quotient
                          obtained by dividing $30.00 by the Average Closing
                          Price (the "Exchange Ratio").  The Average Closing
                          Price shall mean the average of the closing sale
                          price per share of SouthFirst Common Stock on the
                          American Stock Exchange (as reported in The Wall
                          Street Journal, or if not reported thereby, any other
                          authoritative source as mutually determined by
                          SouthFirst and Chilton County) for each of the 10
                          consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the 5
                          consecutive Business Days immediately preceding the
                          Effective Time.  A "Trading Day" shall mean any day
                          in which the American Stock Exchange is open and no
                          less than 100 shares of SouthFirst Common Stock are
                          traded.  A "Business Day" shall mean any day, except
                          Saturdays, Sundays and Federal Holidays, in which
                          First Federal is open;

                   (ii)   If the Average Closing Price of SouthFirst Common
                          Stock is greater than $14.00, then the Exchange Ratio
                          shall be fixed at 2.1429 shares of SouthFirst Common
                          Stock for each outstanding share of Chilton County
                          Common Stock;

                   (iii)  If the Average Closing Price of SouthFirst Common
                          Stock is less than $12.00, then the Exchange Ratio
                          shall be fixed at 2.50 shares of SouthFirst Common
                          Stock for each outstanding share of Chilton County
                          Common Stock.

                (e)       Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 3.1(b) and
(c) hereof, the Total Merger Consideration shall consist of cash and shares of
SouthFirst Common Stock; provided that (A) 50% of the Total Merger
Consideration shall be paid in the form of cash at the Cash Price Per Share
(the "Threshold Cash Amount"), and (B) 50% of the Total Merger Consideration
shall be paid in the form of SouthFirst Common Stock at the Stock Price Per
Share.  If the Aggregate Cash Amount (as defined below) is more or less than
the Threshold Cash Amount, the number of shares of SouthFirst Common Stock and
the amount of cash paid to each electing holder of Chilton County Common Stock
shall be determined as follows:

                   (i)    In the event that the aggregate amount of cash
                          elected by the holders of Chilton County Common Stock
                          at the Cash Price Per Share, including the cash paid
                          for (1) the Chilton County Options, (2) any
                          dissenters' rights (estimated for purposes of the
                          pro-rata allocations required hereunder at $30.00 per
                          share) and (3) fractional





                                      3
<PAGE>   9

                          shares (collectively, the "Aggregate Cash Amount")
                          will be less than the Threshold Cash Amount, then
                          certain of those shares of Chilton County Common
                          Stock for which the holders have elected conversion
                          into shares of SouthFirst Common Stock (the "Stock
                          Election Shares") shall, instead, be converted into
                          those shares of Chilton County Common Stock which
                          carry the right to convert into the Cash Price Per
                          Share (the "Cash Election Shares"), which Cash
                          Election Shares shall be allocated by SouthFirst to
                          each holder of Stock Election Shares, pro-rata, on
                          the basis of  the following formula:

                          Formula For Pro-Rata Allocation When Cash Is
                          Undersubscribed (and Stock is Oversubscribed):

                          A.      Stock Election Shares: (1) Divide the
                                  Threshold Cash Amount by the Stock Price Per
                                  Share.  (2) Divide that quotient amount by
                                  the Stock Election Shares of all electing
                                  holders.  (3) Multiply that quotient amount
                                  by the total number of shares of Chilton
                                  County Common Stock owned by the electing
                                  holder.  (4) Multiply that product amount by
                                  the Exchange Ratio.

                          B.      Cash Election Shares: (1) Subtract the
                                  product amount obtained in step A(3) above
                                  from the total number of shares of Chilton
                                  County Common Stock owned by the electing
                                  holder.  (2) Add that difference to any
                                  fractional share of SouthFirst Common Stock
                                  that would be issued pursuant to step A(4)
                                  above.

                   (ii)   In the event that the Aggregate Cash Amount will be
                          greater than the Threshold Cash Amount, then the Cash
                          Election Shares shall, instead, be converted into
                          Stock Election Shares, which SouthFirst shall
                          allocate to each holder of Cash Election Shares,
                          pro-rata, on the basis of the following formula:

                          Formula For Pro-Rata Distribution When Cash Is
                          Oversubscribed (and Stock is Undersubscribed):

                          A.      Cash Election Shares: (1) Subtract the cash
                                  paid for (i) the Chilton County Options, (ii)
                                  any dissenters' rights and (iii) fractional
                                  shares from the Threshold Cash Amount.  (2)
                                  Divide that difference by the Cash Price Per
                                  Share.  (3) Divide that quotient amount by
                                  the Cash Election Shares of all holders.  (4)
                                  Multiply that quotient amount by the total
                                  number of shares of Chilton County Common
                                  Stock owned by the electing holder.  (5) Add
                                  that product to any fractional share of
                                  SouthFirst Common Stock that may be issued
                                  pursuant to step B(2) below.

                          B.      Stock Election Shares: (1) Subtract
                                  the product amount obtained in step A(4)
                                  above from the total number of shares of
                                  Chilton County Common Stock owned by the
                                  electing holder. (2) Multiply that difference
                                  by the Exchange Ratio.

        (f)       Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 3.1(e) hereof, 
                  SouthFirst:





                                      4
<PAGE>   10

                   (i)    Shall convert Cash Election Shares to Stock Election
                          Shares or Cash Election Shares to Stock Election
                          Shares, as the case may be, pro-rata, to the extent
                          necessary for 50% of the Total Merger Consideration
                          (determined as of the Effective Time) to be paid in
                          the form of cash and 50% of the Total Merger
                          Consideration (determined as of the Effective Time)
                          in the form of SouthFirst Common Stock at the Stock
                          Price Per Share;

                   (ii)   May, at SouthFirst's sole discretion, waive the
                          maintenance of the Threshold Cash Amount if the
                          difference between the Threshold Cash Amount and 
                          the Aggregate Cash Amount is less than 10% of the
                          Threshold Cash Amount; or

                   (iii)  May, at SouthFirst's sole discretion, determine the
                          form of consideration to be received under this
                          Article 3 after the Effective Time by a dissenting
                          shareholder of Chilton County who fails to perfect, or
                          effectively withdraws or loses, his right to appraisal
                          and payment of his shares subsequent to the Effective
                          Time.

     3.2        ANTI-DILUTION PROVISIONS.  Prior to the Effective Time, Chilton
County and SouthFirst each hereby represent and warrant not to change the
number of shares of Chilton County Common Stock or SouthFirst Common Stock,
respectively, issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of
a stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reclassification or similar
transaction; provided, however, that SouthFirst may issue, prior to the
Effective Time, an amount of shares not to exceed 39,500 shares, currently held
by SouthFirst as treasury shares, in connection with certain employment
agreements contemplated by Benefit Financial Services, Inc. ("Benefit
Financial"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SouthFirst.

     3.3        SHARES HELD BY CHILTON COUNTY OR SOUTHFIRST.  Each share of
Chilton County Common Stock held by Chilton County or by any SouthFirst
Company, in each case other than those shares of Chilton County Common Stock
held in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts previously contracted,
shall be canceled and retired at the Effective Time and no consideration shall
be issued in exchange therefor.

     3.4        FRACTIONAL SHARES.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, each holder of shares of Chilton County Common Stock exchanged
pursuant to the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a
fraction of a share of SouthFirst Common Stock (after taking into account all
certificates delivered by such holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash
(without interest) in an amount equal to the Average Closing Price of such
fractional part of a share of SouthFirst Common Stock at the Effective Time. No
such holder will be entitled to dividends, voting rights, or any other rights
as a shareholder in respect of any fractional shares.

     3.5        CONVERSION OF STOCK OPTIONS, WARRANTS, AND OTHER RIGHTS.  At
the Effective Time, each award, option, warrant, or other right to purchase or
acquire shares of Chilton County Common Stock pursuant to stock awards, stock
options, warrant agreements, or stock appreciation rights ("Chilton County
Options") granted by Chilton County under the Chilton County Stock Plans or
otherwise to employees who are not Chilton County directors (including, without
limitation, those options issued to certain officers and directors of Chilton
County), which are outstanding at the Effective Time and as were previously
listed and described in Section 3.5 of the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum
shall be canceled and all rights in respect thereof will cease to exist except
as set forth herein.  As consideration for the cancellation of all of the
Chilton County Options, each holder thereof shall receive cash in an amount
equal to (i) the aggregate number of Option Shares which each holder of Chilton
County Options could have been converted into immediately prior to the
Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the difference between (A) the Cash Price
Per Share (i.e., $30.00) and (B) the exercise price for each Chilton County
Option.





                                      5
<PAGE>   11


                                  ARTICLE 4

                              EXCHANGE OF SHARES

     4.1        EXCHANGE PROCEDURES

     (a)        From and after the Effective Time, each holder of an
outstanding certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time
represented shares of Chilton County Common Stock (each a "Chilton County
Certificate") shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor upon surrender
thereof to SouthFirst, a certificate or certificates representing the number of
whole shares of SouthFirst Common Stock, or, as applicable, cash, to which such
holder is entitled pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.4.  Notwithstanding the other
provisions of this Agreement (i) until holders of Chilton County Certificates
have surrendered them for exchange as provided herein, no dividends or other
distributions shall be paid by SouthFirst with respect to any shares
represented by such Chilton County Certificates and no payment for shares or
fractional shares shall be made, and (ii) without regard to when such Chilton
County Certificates are surrendered for exchange as provided herein, no
interest shall be paid on any dividends or other distributions or any cash
payments for whole or fractional shares.  If any certificate for shares of
SouthFirst Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the
Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a
condition of such exchange that the person requesting such exchange shall pay
any transfer or other taxes similar-type required by reason of the issuance of
certificates for such shares of SouthFirst Common Stock in a name other than
that of the registered holder of the Chilton County Certificate surrendered, or
shall establish to the satisfaction of SouthFirst that such tax has been paid
or is not applicable.

     (b)        SouthFirst (or its Exchange Agent) shall provide each holder of
record of a Chilton County Certificate a letter of transmittal containing the
Form of Election attached hereto as Exhibit 1 which shall specify that delivery
shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Chilton County
Certificates shall pass, only upon actual delivery of the Chilton County
Certificates to SouthFirst.  Upon surrender of Chilton County Certificates to
SouthFirst for cancellation, together with a duly executed letter of
transmittal and such other documents as SouthFirst shall reasonably require,
the holder of such Chilton County Certificates shall be entitled to receive in
exchange therefor one or more certificates representing that number of whole
shares of SouthFirst Common Stock, or, as applicable, cash into which the
shares of Chilton County Certificates Stock theretofore represented by the
Chilton County Certificates so surrendered shall have been converted pursuant
to the provisions of Sections 3.1 and 3.4, and the Chilton County Certificates
so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled.

     4.2        DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS.  Any holder of shares of Chilton
County Common Stock who perfects his dissenters' rights in accordance with, and
as contemplated by, the Dissenter Provisions shall be entitled to receive the
value of cash as determined pursuant to the provisions thereof; provided, that
no such payment shall be made to any dissenting shareholder unless and until
such dissenting shareholder has complied with the Dissenter Provisions and
surrendered the certificate or certificates representing the shares for which
payment is being made.  In the event that after the Effective Time a dissenting
shareholder of Chilton County fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or
loses, his right to appraisal and of payment for his shares, SouthFirst shall
determine the form of the consideration to which such holder of shares of
Chilton County Common Stock is entitled under Section 3.1 and issue and deliver
such consideration pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.4 (without interest) upon
surrender by such holder of the certificate or certificates representing shares
of Chilton County Common Stock held by him.

     4.3        RIGHTS OF FORMER CHILTON COUNTY SHAREHOLDERS.  At the Effective
Time, the stock transfer books of Chilton County shall be closed as to holders
of shares of Chilton County Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective
Time and no transfer of shares of Chilton County Common Stock by any





                                      6
<PAGE>   12

such holder shall thereafter be made or recognized. Until surrendered for
exchange in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1 of this Agreement,
each certificate theretofore representing shares of Chilton County Common Stock
(other than shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 3.3 of this Agreement)
shall from and after the Effective Time represent for all purposes only the
right to receive the consideration provided in Sections 3.1 and 3.4 of this
Agreement in exchange therefor, subject, however, to SouthFirst's obligation to
pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to
the Effective Time which have been declared or made by Chilton County in
respect of such shares of Chilton County Common Stock in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and which remain unpaid at the Effective Time. Whenever
a dividend or other distribution is declared by SouthFirst on the SouthFirst
Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the Effective Time, the
declaration shall include dividends or other distributions on all shares
issuable pursuant to this Agreement, but beginning 60 days after the Effective
Time no dividend or other distribution payable to the holders of record of
SouthFirst Common Stock as of any time subsequent to the Effective Time shall
be delivered to the holder of any certificate representing shares of Chilton
County Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective Time until such
holder surrenders such certificate for exchange as provided in Section 4.1 of
this Agreement. However, upon surrender of such shares of Chilton County Common
Stock certificate, both the SouthFirst Common Stock certificate (together with
all such undelivered dividends or other distributions without interest) and any
undelivered dividends and cash payments to be paid for fractional share
interests (without interest) shall be delivered and paid with respect to each
share represented by such certificate.  Any portion of the consideration
(including the proceeds of any investments thereof) which had been made
available to the Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 4.1 of this Agreement that
remain unclaimed by the shareholders of Chilton County for six months after the
Effective Time shall be paid to SouthFirst.  Any shareholders of Chilton County
who have not theretofore complied with this Article 4 shall thereafter look
only to SouthFirst for payment of their shares of SouthFirst Common Stock, cash
in lieu of fractional shares, and unpaid dividends and distributions on the
SouthFirst Common Stock deliverable in respect of each Chilton County Common
Share such shareholder holds as determined pursuant to this Agreement, in each
case, without any interest thereon.

                                  ARTICLE 5

               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CHILTON COUNTY

     Chilton County hereby represents and warrants to SouthFirst as follows:

     5.1        ORGANIZATION, STANDING, AND POWER.  Chilton County is a federal
savings association duly incorporated, validly existing, and in good standing
under the Laws of the United States, and has the corporate power and authority
to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease, and operate its
Material Assets.  The State of Alabama is the only jurisdiction in which
Chilton County's business is conducted.

     5.2        AUTHORITY; NO BREACH BY AGREEMENT.

     (a)        Chilton County has the power and authority necessary to execute
and deliver this Agreement, and, subject to the approval and adoption of this
Agreement by the shareholders of Chilton County, to perform its obligations
under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by Chilton County and
the consummation by Chilton County of the transactions contemplated herein,
including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
corporate action in respect thereof on the part of Chilton County, subject to
the approval of this Agreement by its shareholders as contemplated by Section
8.1 hereof.  Subject to such requisite shareholder approval (and assuming due
authorization, execution, and delivery by SouthFirst and Surviving Bank), this
Agreement represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Chilton County,
enforceable against





                                      7
<PAGE>   13

Chilton County in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought). The
affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds (66  2/3%) of the outstanding
shares of Chilton County Common Stock is the only shareholder vote necessary to
approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

     (b)        Except as disclosed in Section 5.2(b) of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Chilton County, nor the consummation by Chilton County of the transactions
contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Chilton County with any of the
provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any
provision of Chilton County's Federal Stock Charter or Bylaws, or, (ii)
constitute or result in a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien
on any Material Asset of Chilton County under, or require any consent pursuant
to, any Contract or Permit of Chilton County, where such default or Lien, or
any failure to obtain such Consent, is reasonably likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County, or, (iii)
subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred to in Sections 9.1(a),
(b) and (c) of this Agreement, violate any Order or, to its knowledge, any Law
applicable to Chilton County or any of its Material Assets which will have a
Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County.

     (c)        Other than Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, no
notice to, filing with, or Consent of, any public body or authority is
necessary for the consummation by Chilton County of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated in this Agreement.


     5.3        CAPITAL STOCK.

     (a)        The authorized capital stock of Chilton County consists of (i)
15,000,000 shares of Chilton County Common Stock, of which 169,222 shares will
be issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, except for shares
of Chilton County Common Stock which may be issued to employees upon the
exercise of Chilton County Options prior to the Effective Time, and (ii)
5,000,000 preferred shares, none of which are issued and outstanding. All of
the issued and outstanding shares of Chilton County Common Stock are duly and
validly issued and outstanding and are fully paid and nonassessable.  None of
the outstanding shares of Chilton County Common Stock have been issued in
violation of any preemptive rights. Chilton County has reserved 17,382 shares
of Chilton County Common Stock for issuance under the Chilton County Stock
Plans, pursuant to which options and warrants to purchase not more than 12,931
shares of Chilton County Common Stock are outstanding.

     (b)        Except as set forth in Section 5.3(a) of this Agreement, there
are no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of Chilton County
outstanding and no outstanding Rights relating to the capital stock of Chilton
County.

     5.4        CHILTON COUNTY SUBSIDIARIES.  Chilton County has no
subsidiaries.

     5.5        FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

     (a)        Chilton County has made available to SouthFirst a copy of its
balance sheets and its related consolidated statements of income, consolidated
statements of changes in shareholders' equity and consolidated statements of
cash flows (including related notes and schedules) as of and for the three-year
period ended June 30, 1996.





                                      8
<PAGE>   14


     (b)        Each of the Chilton County Financial Statements for interim
periods ended after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, will
be prepared on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as
may be indicated therein or in the notes to such financial statements) and will
present fairly the financial position of Chilton County at the respective dates
and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows at and for the
periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim financial statements are
subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments which were not or are not
expected to be Material in amount, and except for the absence of certain
footnote information in the unaudited statements.

     5.6        ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS.  Except as disclosed in
Section 5.6 of the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum since June 30, 1996,
(i) there have been no events, changes, or occurrences which have had or, to
the Knowledge of Chilton County, are reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County, or (ii) Chilton
County has not taken any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the
date of this Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of
this Agreement, would represent or result in a Material breach or violation of
any of the covenants and agreements of Chilton County provided in Article 7 or
8 of this Agreement, or which action or failure, if taken after the date of
this Agreement, would result in a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County.

     5.7        TAX MATTERS.

     (a)        All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of any of
Chilton County has been timely filed or requests for extensions have been
timely filed, granted, and have not expired for periods ended on or before
December 31, 1993, except to the extent that all such failures to file, taken
together, are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Chilton County, and to the Knowledge of Chilton County, all Tax Returns filed
are complete and accurate in all Material respects. All Taxes shown on filed
Tax Returns have been paid. There is no audit examination, deficiency, or
refund Litigation with respect to any Taxes that is reasonably likely to result
in a determination that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County, except as reserved against in the
Chilton County Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of this
Agreement or as disclosed in Section 5.7(a) of the Chilton County Disclosure
Memorandum. All Taxes and other liabilities due with respect to completed and
settled examinations or concluded Litigation have been paid, accrued or
provided for as disclosed in Section 5.7(a) of the Chilton County Disclosure
Memorandum.

     (b)        Except as disclosed in Section 5.7(b) of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum, Chilton County has not executed an extension or waiver
of any statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any Material
Tax due that is currently in effect.

     (c)        Except as disclosed in Section 5.7(c) of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum, adequate provision for any Taxes due or to become due
for Chilton County for the period or periods through and including the date of
the respective Chilton County Financial Statements has been made and is
reflected on such Chilton County Financial Statements.

     (d)        Deferred Taxes of Chilton County and related valuation
allowance have been adequately provided for in the Chilton County Financial
Statements in accordance with GAAP.  Effective July 1, 1991, Chilton County
adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 109 "Accounting for
Income Taxes."

     (e)        To the Knowledge of Chilton County, Chilton County is in
compliance with, and its records contain all information and documents
(including properly completed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9) necessary to
comply with, all applicable information reporting and Tax withholding
requirements under federal, state, and local Tax Laws, and such records
identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup





                                      9
<PAGE>   15

withholding under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, except for such
instances of noncompliance and such omissions as are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton
County.

     (f)        There are no Liens with respect to Taxes upon any of the assets
of Chilton County except for loans on the Subsidiaries' books generated in the
normal course of business.

     (g)        All Material elections with respect to Taxes affecting Chilton
County as of the date of this Agreement have been or will be timely made as set
forth in Section 5.7(g) of the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum. After the
date hereof, other than as set forth in Section 5.7(g) of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum, no election with respect to Taxes will be made without
the prior written consent of SouthFirst, which consent will not be unreasonably
withheld.

     5.8        ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES.  The allowance for possible
loan or credit losses (the "Allowance") shown on the balance sheet of Chilton
County included in the most recent Chilton County Financial Statements dated
prior to the date of this Agreement was, and the Allowance shown on the
consolidated balance sheet of Chilton County included in the Chilton County
Financial Statements as of the dates subsequent thereto will be, as of the
dates thereof, adequate (within the meaning of GAAP and applicable regulatory
requirements or guidelines) to provide for losses relating to or inherent in
the loan and lease portfolios (including accrued interest receivables) of
Chilton County and other extensions of credit (including letters of credit and
commitments to make loans or extend credit) by Chilton County as of the dates
thereof, except where the failure of such Allowance to be so adequate is not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County.

     5.9        ASSETS.  Except as disclosed in Section 5.9 of the Chilton
County Disclosure Memorandum, Chilton County has good and marketable title,
free and clear of all Liens (except for those Liens which are not likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County) to all of its respective
Material Assets, reflected in Chilton County Financial Statements as being
owned by Chilton County as of the date hereof. All Material tangible properties
used in the business of Chilton County are in good condition, reasonable wear
and tear excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of business consistent
with Chilton County's past practices. All Assets which are Material to Chilton
County's business are held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with
their respective terms (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of
the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to
the discretion of the court before which any proceedings may be brought), and
each such Contract is in full force and effect. Chilton County currently
maintains insurance in amounts, scope, and coverage as disclosed in Section 5.9
of the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum.  Chilton County has not received
written notice from any insurance carrier that (i) such insurance will be
canceled or that coverage thereunder will be reduced or eliminated, or (ii)
premium costs with respect to such policies of insurance will be substantially
increased. Except as disclosed in Section 5.9 of the Chilton County Disclosure
Memorandum, to the Knowledge of Chilton County there are presently no
occurrences giving rise to a claim under such policies of insurance and no
notices have been given by Chilton County under such policies.

     5.10       ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  To the Knowledge of Chilton County,
none of the assets of Chilton County (defined for purposes of this Section 5.10
as the real property and tangible personal property owned or leased by Chilton
County as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time) contain
any hazardous materials (defined as any substance whose nature and/or quantity
or existence, use, manufacture or effect render it subject to federal, state or
local regulation as potentially injurious to public health or welfare
("Hazardous Materials") other than in such quantities which are incidental and
customary for the maintenance of such assets (e.g., cleaning fluids) or not
otherwise reasonably likely, in the aggregate, to have





                                      10
<PAGE>   16

a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County ("Incidental Quantities").  Except
as disclosed in Section 5.10 of the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum, to
the Knowledge of Chilton County without inquiry, no collateral securing any
loan made by Chilton County, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective Time, contains any Hazardous Materials, other than in Incidental
Quantities.

     5.11       COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  Chilton County is duly chartered as a
federal stock savings and loan association and is an "insured institution" as
defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and applicable regulations
thereunder, and the deposits in which are insured by the Savings Association
Insurance Fund.  Chilton County has in effect all Permits necessary for it to
own, lease, or operate its Material Assets and to carry on its business as now
conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Chilton County, and there has occurred no Default under any such Permit, other
than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County.  Except as disclosed in
Section 5.11 of the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum, Chilton County:

                (a)       is not in violation of any Laws, Orders, or Permits
applicable to its business or employees conducting its business, except for
violations which are not reasonably likely to have, individual ly or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County; and

                (b)       has not received any notification or communication
from any agency or department of federal, state, or local government or any
Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof (i) asserting that Chilton County is
not in compliance with any of the Laws or Orders which such governmental
authority or Regulatory Authority enforces, where such noncompliance is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Chilton County, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits, the
revocation of which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County, or (iii) requiring
Chilton County to enter into or consent to the issuance of a cease and desist
order, formal agreement, directive, commitment, or memorandum of understanding,
or to adopt any Board resolution or similar undertaking, which restricts
Materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates to its capital
adequacy, its credit or reserve policies, its management, or the payment of
dividends.

     5.12       LABOR RELATIONS.  Chilton County is not the subject of any
Litigation asserting that it has committed an unfair labor practice (within the
meaning of the National Labor Relations Act or comparable state law) or seeking
to compel it to bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions
of employment, nor is there any strike or other labor dispute involving Chilton
County, pending or to the Knowledge of Chilton County threatened, nor is there
any activity involving Chilton County's employees seeking to certify a
collective bargaining unit or engaging in any other organization activity.

     5.13       EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

     (a)        Chilton County has disclosed in Section 5.13(a) of the Chilton
County Disclosure Memorandum, and has delivered or made available to SouthFirst
prior to the execution of this Agreement copies or summaries in each case of,
all Material pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock
option, employee stock ownership, severance pay, vacation, bonus, or other
incentive plan, all other written employee programs, arrangements, or
agreements, all medical, vision, dental, or other health plans, all life
insurance plans, and all other employee benefit plans or fringe benefit plans,
including "employee benefit plans" (as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA), currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part by, or
contributed to by Chilton County for the benefit of employees, retirees,
dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other beneficiaries
and under which employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors,
independent contractors, or other beneficiaries are eligible to participate
(collectively, the "Chilton County Benefit Plans").  Any of the Chilton County
Benefit Plans which is an





                                      11
<PAGE>   17

"employee pension benefit plan" (as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA) is referred to herein as a "Chilton County ERISA Plan."  No Chilton
County Benefit Plan is or has been a multi-employer plan within the meaning of
Section 3(37) of ERISA.

     (b)        Except as disclosed in Section 5.13(b) of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum, all Chilton County Benefit Plans are in compliance in
all Material respects with the applicable terms of ERISA, the Internal Revenue
Code, and any other applicable Laws, the breach or violation of which are
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Chilton County.

     (c)        Except as disclosed in Section 5.13(c) of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum, no Chilton County ERISA Plan which is a "defined benefit
pension plan" (as defined in Section 4140 of the Internal Revenue Code) has any
"unfunded current Liability" (as that term is defined in Section 302(d)(8)(A)
of ERISA) and the present fair market value of the assets of any such plan
exceeds the plan's "benefit liabilities" (as that term is defined in Section
4001(a)(16) of ERISA) when determined under actuarial factors that would apply
if the plan terminated in accordance with all applicable legal requirements.

     (d)        Except as disclosed in Section 5.13(d) of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum or otherwise provided by this Agreement, neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any payment (including,
without limitation, severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, or
otherwise) becoming due to any director or any employee of Chilton County, (ii)
increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Chilton County Benefit Plan
or (iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any
such benefits, where such payment, increase, or acceleration is reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Chilton County.

     5.14       MATERIAL CONTRACTS.  Except as disclosed in Section 5.14 of the
Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum, Chilton County is not a party to or
subject to the following: (i) any employment, severance, termination,
consulting, or retirement Contract providing for aggregate payments to any
Person in any calendar year in excess of $25,000, (ii) any Contract relating to
the borrowing of money by Chilton County or the guarantee by Chilton County of
any such obligation (other than Contracts evidencing deposit liabilities,
purchases of federal funds, fully-secured repurchase agreements, and Federal
Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank advances, trade payables, and Contracts
relating to borrowings or guarantees made in the ordinary course of business),
(iii) any lease of real property, or (iv) any other Contract involving payments
by Chilton County of $25,000 or more per year which is not terminable by
Chilton County on 90 days or less notice without Liability (together with all
Contracts referred to in Sections 5.9 and 5.13(a) of this Agreement, the
"Chilton County Contracts"). With respect to each of the Chilton County
Contracts and except as disclosed in Section 5.14 of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum: (i) each of the Chilton County Contracts is in full
force and effect; (ii) Chilton County is not in default thereunder, other than
defaults which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County; (iii) Chilton County
has not repudiated or waived any Material provision of any of such Chilton
County Contracts; and (iv) no other party to any such Contract is, to the
Knowledge of Chilton County, in default in any Material respect, other than
defaults which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County, or has repudiated or
waived any Material provision thereunder. Except for Federal Home Loan Bank
advances, all of the indebtedness of Chilton County for money borrowed is
prepayable at any time by Chilton County without penalty or premium.

     5.15       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.  Except as disclosed in Section 5.15 of the
Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum, there is no Litigation instituted or
pending, or, to the Knowledge of Chilton County, threatened (or unasserted but
considered probable of assertion and which if asserted would have at least a
reasonable probability of an unfavorable outcome) against Chilton County, or
against any Asset, employee





                                      12
<PAGE>   18

benefit plan, interest, or right of any of them, that is reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton
County, nor are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other
governmental authorities, or arbitrators outstanding against Chilton County,
that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County.  Section 5.15 of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum includes a summary report of all Litigation as of the
date of this Agreement to which Chilton County is a party and which names
Chilton County as a defendant or cross-defendant.

     5.16       REPORTS. Since July 1, 1993, Chilton County has timely filed
all reports and statements, together with any amendments required to be made
with respect thereto, that it was required to file with (i) the OTS, (ii) other
Regulatory Authorities, and (iii) any applicable state securities or banking
authorities (except, in the case of state securities authorities, failures to
file which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County).  As of their respective dates,
each of such reports and documents, including the financial statements,
exhibits, and schedules thereto, complied in all Material respects with all
applicable Laws.  As of its respective date, each such report and document did
not, in all Material respects, contain any untrue statement of a Material fact
or omit to state a Material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading.

     5.17       STATEMENTS TRUE AND CORRECT.  None of the information supplied
or to be supplied by Chilton County for inclusion in the Registration Statement
to be filed by SouthFirst with the SEC will, when the Registration Statement
becomes effective, be false or misleading with respect to any Material fact, or
omit to state any Material fact necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading.  None of the information to be mailed to Chilton County's
shareholders in connection with the Chilton County Shareholders' Meeting, and
any other documents to be filed by Chilton County or any Affiliate thereof with
any other Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, will, at the respective time such documents are filed, and with respect
to the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement, when first mailed to the shareholders
of Chilton County, be false or misleading with respect to any Material fact, or
omit to state any Material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, in
the case of the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, at the time of the Chilton County Shareholders' Meeting, be
false or misleading with respect to any Material fact, or omit to state any
Material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication
with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the Chilton County
Shareholders' Meeting.

     5.18       ACCOUNTING, TAX AND REGULATORY MATTERS.  To the Knowledge of
Chilton County, Chilton County has not taken or agreed to take any action which
would, or has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is reasonably
likely to (i) prevent the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Merger, from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections
368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) Materially
impede or delay receipt of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to
in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement or result in the imposition of a condition
or restriction of the type referred to in the last sentence of such Section.

     5.19       FEDERAL STOCK CHARTER PROVISIONS.  Chilton County has taken all
action so that the entering into this Agreement and the consummation of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and
will not result in any super-majority voting requirement or the grant of any
rights to any Person under the Federal Stock Charter, Bylaws, or other
governing instruments of any Chilton County or restrict or impair the ability
of SouthFirst or any of its Subsidiaries to vote, or otherwise to exercise the
rights of a shareholder with respect to, shares of Chilton County that may be
directly or indirectly acquired or controlled by it.





                                      13
<PAGE>   19


     5.20       DERIVATIVES CONTRACTS.  Except as disclosed in Section 5.20 of
the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum, Chilton County is not a party to or
has agreed to enter into an exchange-traded or over-the-counter swap, forward,
future, option, cap, floor, or collar financial contract, or any other interest
rate or foreign currency protection contract not included on its balance sheet
which is a financial derivative contract (including various combinations
thereof) (each a "Derivatives Contract").


                                  ARTICLE 6

        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SOUTHFIRST AND FIRST FEDERAL

     SouthFirst and First Federal hereby represent and warrant to Chilton
County as follows:

     6.1        ORGANIZATION, STANDING, AND POWER.

     (a)        SouthFirst is a corporation duly organized, validly existing,
and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware, and has the
corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to
own, lease, and operate its Material Assets. SouthFirst is duly qualified or
licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in the
States of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of
its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so
qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be
so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst.

     (b)        First Federal is a federally chartered stock savings bank
having its principal office in Sylacauga, Alabama, and has the power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease, and
operate its Material Assets. First Federal is duly qualified or licensed to
transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in the States of
the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets
or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or
licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified
or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect on First Federal.  First Federal is a member in good
standing of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and all eligible accounts
issued by First Federal are insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund
to the maximum extent permitted under federal law.

     6.2        AUTHORITY; NO BREACH BY AGREEMENT.

     (a)        Each of SouthFirst and First Federal has the power and
authority necessary to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated herein, including the Merger, have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in respect thereof on the
part of SouthFirst and First Federal. This Agreement represents a legal, valid,
and binding obligation of SouthFirst and First Federal, enforceable against
SouthFirst and First Federal in accordance with its terms (except in all cases
as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought).

     (b)        Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
SouthFirst or First Federal, nor the consummation by SouthFirst or First
Federal of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by SouthFirst
or First Federal with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or
result in a breach of any provision of SouthFirst's Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws, or First Federal's Federal Stock Charter or





                                      14
<PAGE>   20

Bylaws, or (ii) constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent
pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any of the
SouthFirst Companies or First Federal under any Contract or Permit of any of
the SouthFirst Companies or First Federal, where such Default or Lien, or any
failure to obtain such Consent, is reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst or First Federal, or,
(iii) subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred to in Sections
9.1(a), (b) and (c) of this Agreement, violate any Order or, to its knowledged,
Law applicable to any of the SouthFirst Companies or First Federal or any of
their respective Material Assets which will have a Material Adverse Effect on
SouthFirst or First Federal.

     (c)        Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of
the Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and securities Laws, and rules
of the American Stock Exchange, and other than Consents required from
Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or filings with the Internal
Revenue Service or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any
employee benefit plans, and other than Consents, filings, or notifications
which, if not obtained or made, are not reasonably likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst and First Federal,
no notice to, filing with, or Consent of, any public body or authority is
necessary for the consummation by SouthFirst and First Federal of the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

     6.3        CAPITAL STOCK.

     (a)        The authorized capital stock of SouthFirst consists of (i)
2,000,000 shares of SouthFirst Common Stock, of which 821,100 shares will be
issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, except for those
certain shares of SouthFirst Common Stock currently held by SouthFirst as
treasury shares, of which not more than 39,500 shares shall be issued prior to
the Effective Time in connection with certain employment agreements
contemplated by Benefit Financial, and (ii) 500,000 preferred shares, par value
$.01 per share, none of which are issued and outstanding.  SouthFirst shall not
otherwise issue or repurchase additional shares of capital stock prior to the
Effective Time.  All of the issued and outstanding shares of SouthFirst Common
Stock are, and all of the SouthFirst Common Stock to be issued in exchange for
shares of Chilton County Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger, will be
authorized and reserved for issuance prior to the Effective Time and, when
issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be, duly and
validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable.  None of the
outstanding shares of SouthFirst Common Stock have been, and none of the shares
of SouthFirst Common Stock to be issued in exchange for shares of Chilton
County Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger will be, issued in
violation of any preemptive rights of the current or past shareholders of
SouthFirst.  SouthFirst has reserved 83,000 shares of SouthFirst Common Stock
for issuance under the SouthFirst Stock Plans, as listed and described in
Section 6.3 of the SouthFirst Disclosure Memorandum, pursuant to which options
to purchase not more than 83,000 shares of SouthFirst Common Stock are
outstanding.

     (b)        Except as set forth in Section 6.3(a) of this Agreement, there
are no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of SouthFirst
outstanding and no outstanding rights relating to the capital stock of
SouthFirst.

     6.4        SOUTHFIRST SUBSIDIARIES.  Except as disclosed in Section 6.4 of
the SouthFirst Disclosure Memorandum, the list of Subsidiaries of SouthFirst
filed by SouthFirst with the SouthFirst Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 is a true and complete list of all of the
SouthFirst Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement. Except as disclosed
in Section 6.4 of the SouthFirst Disclosure Memorandum, SouthFirst or one of
its Subsidiaries owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock
of each SouthFirst Subsidiary. No equity securities of any SouthFirst
Subsidiary are or may become required to be issued (other than one of the other





                                      15
<PAGE>   21

SouthFirst Companies) by reason of any Rights, and there are no Contracts by
which any SouthFirst Subsidiary is bound to issue (other than to one of the
other SouthFirst Companies) additional shares of its capital stock or Rights or
by which any of the SouthFirst Companies is or may be bound to transfer any
shares of the capital stock of any SouthFirst Subsidiary (other than to one of
the other SouthFirst Companies). There are no Contracts relating to the rights
of any of the SouthFirst Companies to vote or to dispose of any shares of the
capital stock of any SouthFirst Subsidiary. All of the shares of capital stock
of each SouthFirst Subsidiary held by any of the SouthFirst Companies are fully
paid and nonassessable under the applicable corporation Law of the jurisdiction
in which such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized, and are owned and clear
of any Lien. Each SouthFirst Subsidiary is either a bank or a corporation, and
is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the
jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, and has the corporate
power and authority necessary for it to own, lease, and operate its Assets and
to carry on its business as now conducted. Each SouthFirst Subsidiary is duly
qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation and is in
good standing in each jurisdiction where the character of its Assets or the
nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed,
except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or
licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Each SouthFirst Subsidiary that is a depository institution is an "insured
institution" as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and applicable
regulations thereunder, and the deposits in which are insured by the Bank
Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund.

     6.5        SEC FILINGS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

     (a)        SouthFirst has filed and made available to Chilton County all
forms, reports, and documents required to be filed by SouthFirst with the SEC
since October 1, 1994 (collectively, the "SouthFirst SEC Reports"). The
SouthFirst SEC Reports (i) at the time filed, complied in all Material respects
with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as the case
may be, and (ii) did not at the time they were filed (or if amended or
superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of
such filing) contain any untrue statement of a Material fact or omit to state a
Material fact required to be stated in such SouthFirst SEC Reports or necessary
in order to make the statements in such SouthFirst SEC Reports, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

     (b)        Each of the SouthFirst Financial Statements (including, in each
case, any related notes) contained in the SouthFirst SEC Reports, including any
SouthFirst SEC Reports filed after the date of this Agreement until the
Effective Time, complied and will comply as to form in all Material respects
with the applicable published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect
thereto, was prepared and will be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes to such financial statements or, in the case of unaudited statements,
as permitted in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q by the SEC), and fairly
presented the consolidated financial position of SouthFirst and its
Subsidiaries as at the respective dates and the consolidated results of its
operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited
interim financial statements were or are subject to normal and recurring
year-end adjustments which were not or are not expected to be Material in
amount.

     6.6        ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS.  Except as disclosed in
the SouthFirst Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of this
Agreement, since December 31, 1996, (i) there have been no events, changes or
occurrences which have had or, to the Knowledge of SouthFirst, are reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
SouthFirst, or (ii) the SouthFirst Companies have not taken any action, or
failed to take any action, prior to the date of this Agreement, which action or
failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would represent or result
in a Material breach or violation of any of the covenants and agreements of
SouthFirst provided in Articles 7 or 8 of this Agreement, or which action or
failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would result in a Material
Adverse Effect on SouthFirst.





                                      16
<PAGE>   22


     6.7        TAX MATTERS.

     (a)        All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of each of
the SouthFirst Companies have been timely filed or requests for extensions have
been timely filed, granted, and have not expired for periods ended on or before
December 31, 1993, and on or before the date of the most recent fiscal year end
immediately preceding the Effective Time, except to the extent that all such
failures to file, taken together, are not reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on SouthFirst, and all Tax Returns filed are complete and
accurate in all Material respects. All Taxes shown on filed Tax Returns have
been paid. There is no audit examination, deficiency, or refund Litigation with
respect to any Taxes that is reasonably likely to result in a determination
that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
the SouthFirst Companies, except as reserved against in the SouthFirst
Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement. All Taxes
and other liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or
concluded Litigation have been paid.

     (b)        Adequate provision for any Taxes due or to become due for any
of the SouthFirst Companies for the period or periods through and including the
date of the respective SouthFirst Financial Statements has been made and is
reflected on such SouthFirst Financial Statements.

     (c)        Deferred Taxes of the SouthFirst Companies have been adequately
provided for in accordance with GAAP.  Effective October 1, 1993, SouthFirst
adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 109, "Accounting for
Income Taxes."

     (d)        To the Knowledge of SouthFirst, each of the SouthFirst
Companies is in compliance with, and its records contain all information and
documents (including properly completed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9)
necessary to comply with, all applicable information reporting and Tax
withholding requirements under federal, state, and local Tax Laws, and such
records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding
under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, except for such instances of
noncompliance and such omissions as are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst.

     6.8        ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES.  The allowance for possible
loan or credit losses (the "Allowance") shown on the consolidated balance sheet
of SouthFirst included in the most recent SouthFirst Financial Statements dated
prior to the date of this Agreement was, and the Allowance shown on the
consolidated balance sheet of SouthFirst included in the SouthFirst Financial
Statements as of the dates subsequent thereto will be, as of the dates thereof,
adequate (within the meaning of GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements or
guidelines) to provide for losses relating to or inherent in the loan and lease
portfolios (including accrued interest receivables) of SouthFirst and other
extensions of credit (including letters of credit and commitments to make loans
or extend credit) by SouthFirst as of the dates thereof, except where the
failure of such Allowance to be so adequate is not reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst.

     6.9        ASSETS.   Except as disclosed in Section 6.9 of the SouthFirst
Disclosure Memorandum, each of the SouthFirst Companies has good and marketable
title, free and clear of all Liens (except for those Liens which are not likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst or its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole), to all of their respective Material Assets, reflected in SouthFirst
Financial Statements as being owned by SouthFirst as of the date hereof. All
Material tangible properties used in the businesses of the SouthFirst Companies
are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and are usable in the
ordinary course of business consistent with SouthFirst's past practices. All
Assets which are Material to SouthFirst's business on a consolidated basis, are
held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,





                                      17
<PAGE>   23

or other Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and
except that the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or
injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any
proceedings may be brought), and each such Contract is in full force and
effect. The SouthFirst Companies currently maintain insurance in amounts,
scope, and coverage as disclosed in Section 6.9 of the SouthFirst Disclosure
Memorandum.  None of the SouthFirst Companies has received written notice from
any insurance carrier that (i) such insurance will be canceled or that coverage
thereunder will be reduced or eliminated, or (ii) premium costs with respect to
such policies of insurance will be substantially increased. Except as disclosed
in Section 6.9 of the SouthFirst Disclosure Memorandum, to the Knowledge of
SouthFirst there are presently no occurrences giving rise to a claim under such
policies of insurance and no notices have been given by any SouthFirst Company
under such policies.

     6.10       ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

     To the Knowledge of SouthFirst, none of the assets of SouthFirst (defined
for purposes of this Section 6.10 as the real property and tangible personal
property owned or leased by SouthFirst as of the date of this Agreement and as
of the Effective Time) contain any hazardous materials (defined as any
substance whose nature and/or quantity or existence, use, manufacture or effect
render it subject to federal, state or local regulation as potentially
injurious to public health or welfare ("Hazardous Materials") other than in
such quantities which are incidental and customary for the maintenance of such
assets (e.g., cleaning fluids) or not otherwise reasonably likely, in the
aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst ("Incidental
Quantities").  Except as disclosed in Section 6.10 of the SouthFirst Disclosure
Memorandum, to the Knowledge of SouthFirst, without inquiry, no collateral
securing any loan made by SouthFirst, as of the date of this Agreement and as
of the Effective Time, contains any Hazardous Materials, other than in
Incidental Quantities.

     6.11       COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  SouthFirst is duly registered as a
thrift holding company under the applicable regulations of the OTS.  Each of
the SouthFirst Companies has in effect all Permits necessary for it to own,
lease, or operate its Material Assets and to carry on its business as now
conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
SouthFirst.  None of the SouthFirst Companies is presently in Default under or
in violation of any such Permit, other than Defaults which are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
SouthFirst.  None of the SouthFirst Companies:

                (a)       is in violation of any Laws, Orders, or Permits
applicable to its business or employees conducting its business, except for
violations which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst; and

                (b)       has received any notification or communication from
any agency or department of federal, state, or local government or any
Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof (i) asserting that any SouthFirst
Company is not in compliance with any of the Laws or Orders which such
governmental authority or Regulatory Authority enforces, where such
noncompliance is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits,
the revocation of which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst, or (iii) requiring any
SouthFirst Company to enter into or consent to the issuance of a cease and
desist order, formal agreement, directive, commitment, or memorandum of
understanding, or to adopt any board resolution or similar undertaking, which
restricts Materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates to
its capital adequacy, its credit or reserve policies, its management or the
payment of dividends.





                                      18
<PAGE>   24


     6.12       LABOR RELATIONS.  SouthFirst is not the subject of any
Litigation asserting that it or any other SouthFirst Company has committed an
unfair labor practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act
or comparable state law) or seeking to compel it or any other SouthFirst
Company to bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of
employment, nor is there any strike or other labor dispute involving any
SouthFirst Company, pending or to the Knowledge of SouthFirst threatened, nor
is there any activity involving any SouthFirst Company's employees seeking to
certify a collective bargaining unit or engaging in any other organization
activity.

     6.13       EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

     (a)        SouthFirst has made available to First Federal prior to the
Effective Time copies in each case of all pension, retirement, profit-sharing,
deferred compensation, stock option, employee stock ownership, severance pay,
vacation, bonus, or other incentive plan, all other written employee programs,
arrangements, or agreements, all medical, vision, dental, or other health
plans, all life insurance plans, and all other employee benefit plans or fringe
benefit plans, including "employee benefit plans" as that term is defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA, currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole or
in part by, or contributed to by any SouthFirst Company or Affiliate thereof
for the benefit of employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors,
independent contractors, or other beneficiaries and under which employees,
retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other
beneficiaries are eligible to participate (collectively, the "SouthFirst
Benefit Plans").  Any of the SouthFirst Benefit Plans which is an "employee
pension benefit plan," as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, is
referred to herein as a "SouthFirst ERISA Plan."  Each SouthFirst ERISA Plan
which is also a "defined benefit plan" (as defined in Section 4140 of the
Internal Revenue Code) is referred to herein as a "SouthFirst Pension Plan."
No SouthFirst Pension Plan is or has been a multiemployer plan within the
meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.

     (b)        All SouthFirst Benefit Plans are in compliance with the
applicable terms of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and any other applicable
Laws the breach or violation of which are reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst.
Each SouthFirst ERISA Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination
letter from the Internal Revenue Service, and SouthFirst is not aware of any
circumstances likely to result in revocation of any such favorable
determination letter.  No SouthFirst Company has engaged in a transaction with
respect to any SouthFirst Benefit Plan that, assuming the taxable period of
such transaction expired as of the date hereof, would subject any SouthFirst
Company to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Internal
Revenue Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA.

     (c)        No SouthFirst Pension Plan has any "unfunded current
Liability," as that term is defined in Section 302(d)(8)(A) of ERISA, and the
fair market value of the assets of any such plan exceeds the plan's "benefit
liabilities," as that term is defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, when
determined under actuarial factors that would apply if the plan terminated in
accordance with all applicable legal requirements.  Since the date of the most
recent actuarial valuation, there has been (i) no Material change in the
financial position of any SouthFirst Pension Plan, (ii) no change in the
actuarial assumptions with respect to any SouthFirst Pension Plan, and (iii) no
increase in benefits under any SouthFirst Pension Plan as a result of plan
amendments or changes in applicable Law which is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst or
Materially adversely affect the funding status of any such plan.  Neither any
SouthFirst Pension Plan nor any "single-employer plan," within the meaning of
Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or formerly maintained by any
SouthFirst Company, or the single-employer plan of any entity which is
considered one employer with SouthFirst under Section 4001 of ERISA or Section
414 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA (whether or not
waived) (an "ERISA Affiliate") has an "accumulated funding deficiency" within
the meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of
ERISA.  No SouthFirst Company has provided, or is required to provide,





                                      19
<PAGE>   25

security to a SouthFirst Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of an
ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

     (d)        No Liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has
been or is expected to be incurred by any SouthFirst Company with respect to
any ongoing, frozen, or terminated single-employer plan or the single-employer
plan of any ERISA Affiliate, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst.  No SouthFirst Company has incurred any
withdrawal Liability with respect to a multiemployer plan under Subtitle B of
Title IV of ERISA (regardless of whether based on contributions of an ERISA
Affiliate), which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on SouthFirst.  No notice of a "reportable event," within the meaning of
Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day reporting requirement has not been
waived, has been required to be filed for any SouthFirst Pension Plan or by any
ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof.

     (e)        Except as disclosed in Section 6.13(e) of the SouthFirst
Disclosure Memorandum, no SouthFirst Company has any Liability for retiree
health and life benefits under any of the SouthFirst Benefit Plans and there
are no restrictions on the rights of such SouthFirst Company to amend or
terminate any such Plan without incurring any Liability thereunder.

     (f)        Except as disclosed in Section 6.13(f) of the SouthFirst
Disclosure Memorandum, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any
payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, or
otherwise) becoming due to any a director or any employee of any SouthFirst
Company from any SouthFirst Company under any SouthFirst Benefit Plan or
otherwise, (ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any SouthFirst
Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment or
vesting of any such benefit.

     (g)        The actuarial present values of all accrued deferred
compensation entitlements (including entitlements under any executive
compensation, supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of employees
and former employees of any SouthFirst Company and their respective
beneficiaries, other than entitlements accrued pursuant to funded retirement
plans subject to the provisions of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or
Section 302 of ERISA, have been fully reflected on the SouthFirst Financial
Statements to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP.

     6.14       MATERIAL CONTRACTS. Except as disclosed in Section 6.14 of the
SouthFirst Disclosure Memorandum or otherwise reflected in the SouthFirst
Financial Statements, none of the SouthFirst Companies, nor any of their
respective Assets, businesses, or operations, is a party to, or is bound or
affected by, or receives benefits under, (i) any employment, severance,
termination, consulting, or retirement Contract providing for aggregate
payments to any Person in any calendar year in excess of $25,000, (ii) any
Contract relating to the borrowing of money by any SouthFirst Company or the
guarantee by any SouthFirst Company of any such obligation (other than
Contracts evidencing deposit liabilities, purchases of federal funds,
fully-secured repurchase agreements, and Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home
Loan Bank advances of depository institution Subsidiaries, trade payables, and
Contracts relating to borrowings or guarantees made in the ordinary course of
business), (iii) any Contracts between or among SouthFirst Companies, (iv) any
lease of real property, or (v) any other Contract involving payments by a
SouthFirst Company of $25,000 or more per year which is not terminable by such
SouthFirst Company on 90 days or less notice without Liability (together with
all Contracts referred to in Sections 6.9 and 6.13(a) of this Agreement, the
"SouthFirst Contracts").  None of the SouthFirst Companies is in Default under
any SouthFirst Contract, other than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
SouthFirst.  All of the indebtedness of any SouthFirst Company for money
borrowed is prepayable at any time by such SouthFirst Company without penalty
or premium.





                                      20
<PAGE>   26


     6.15       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.  Except as disclosed in Section 6.15 of the
SouthFirst Disclosure Memorandum, there is no Litigation instituted or pending,
or, to the Knowledge of SouthFirst, threatened (or unasserted but considered
probable of assertion and which if asserted would have at least a reasonable
probability of an unfavorable outcome) against any SouthFirst Company, or
against any Asset, interest, or right of any of them, that is reasonably likely
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
SouthFirst, nor are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other
governmental authorities, or arbitrators outstanding against any SouthFirst
Company, that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect on SouthFirst.

     6.16       REPORTS.  Since January 1, 1990, or the date of organization if
later, each SouthFirst Company has filed all reports and statements, together
with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that it was
required to file with Regulatory Authorities (except, in the case of state
securities authorities, failures to file which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
SouthFirst). As of their respective dates, each of such reports and documents,
including the financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto, complied
in all Material respects with all applicable Laws. As of its respective date,
each such report and document did not, in all Material respects, contain any
untrue statement of a Material fact or omit to state a Material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

     6.17       STATEMENTS TRUE AND CORRECT.  None of the information supplied
or to be supplied by any of the SouthFirst Companies or any Affiliate thereof
for inclusion in the Registration Statement to be filed by SouthFirst with the
SEC, will, when the Registration Statement becomes effective, be false or
misleading with respect to any Material fact, or omit to state any Material
fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. None of the
information supplied or to be supplied by any of the SouthFirst Companies or
any Affiliate thereof for inclusion in the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement to
be mailed to Chilton County's shareholders in connection with the Chilton
County Shareholders' Meeting, and any other documents to be filed by any of the
SouthFirst Companies or any Affiliate thereof with the SEC or any other
Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
will, at the respective time such documents are filed, and with respect to the
Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement, when first mailed to the shareholders of
Chilton County, be false or misleading with respect to any Material fact, or
omit to state any Material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, in
the case of the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, at the time of the Chilton County Shareholders' Meeting, be
false or misleading with respect to any Material fact, or omit to state any
Material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication
with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the Shareholders' Meeting.
All documents that any of the SouthFirst Companies or any Affiliate thereof is
responsible for filing with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby will comply as to form in all Material
respects with the provisions of applicable Law.

     6.18       ACCOUNTING, TAX AND REGULATORY MATTERS.  None of the SouthFirst
Companies or any Affiliate thereof has taken or agreed to take any action or
has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to (i)
prevent the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, from
qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368 (a)(1)(A) and
368(a)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) Materially impede or delay
receipt of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 9.1(b)
of this Agreement or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of
the type referred to in the last sentence of such Section.





                                      21
<PAGE>   27

         6.19    DERIVATIVES CONTRACTS.  Neither SouthFirst nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to or has agreed to enter into a Derivatives Contract,
except for those Derivatives Contracts set forth in Section 6.19 of the
SouthFirst Disclosure Memorandum.

                                  ARTICLE 7

                  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION

         7.1     AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF CHILTON COUNTY.  Unless the prior
written consent of SouthFirst shall have been obtained, and except as otherwise
expressly contemplated herein, Chilton County shall (i) operate its business
only in the usual, regular, and ordinary course, (ii) use its reasonable best
efforts to preserve intact its business organization and Assets and maintain
its rights and franchises, (iii) use its reasonable efforts to maintain its
current employee relationships, and (iv) take no action which would  adversely
affect the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents of Regulatory
Authorities required for the transactions contemplated hereby without
imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred to in the last
sentence of Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement.

         7.2     NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF CHILTON COUNTY.  Except as described in
Section 7.2 of the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum, from the date of this
Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this
Agreement, Chilton County covenants and agrees that it will not do or agree or
commit to do, any of the following without the prior written consent of the
chief executive officer, chief financial officer of SouthFirst (and, with
respect to clauses (c) and (e), of the Board of Directors of SouthFirst), which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld:

                 (a)      amend the Federal Stock Charter, Bylaws or other
governing instruments of Chilton County, except as may be necessary to
consummate the Merger; or

                 (b)      incur any additional debt obligation or other
obligation for borrowed money in excess of an aggregate of $100,000 except in
the ordinary course of the business of Chilton County consistent with past
practices (which shall include creation of deposit liabilities, purchases of
federal funds, advances from the Federal Reserve Bank or Federal Home Loan
Bank, and entry into repurchase agreements fully secured by U.S. government or
agency securities), or impose, or suffer the imposition, on any Asset of
Chilton County of any Lien or permit any such Lien to exist (other than in
connection with deposits, repurchase agreements, bankers acceptances, "treasury
tax and loan" accounts established in the ordinary course of business, the
satisfaction of legal requirements in the exercise of trust powers, and Liens
in effect as of the date hereof that are disclosed in the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum); or

                 (c)      repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire or exchange
(other than exchanges in the ordinary course under employee benefit plans),
directly or indirectly, any shares, or any securities convertible into any
shares, of the capital stock of Chilton County, or, except as permitted in
Section 8.6 of this Agreement, declare or pay any dividend or make any other
distribution in respect of Chilton County's capital stock; or

                 (d)      except for this Agreement, or pursuant to the
exercise of Chilton County Options granted to Chilton County employees and
outstanding as of the date hereof and pursuant to the terms thereof in
existence on the date hereof and as disclosed in Section 7.2(d) of the Chilton
County Disclosure Memorandum, issue, sell, pledge, encumber, authorize the
issuance of, enter into any Contract to issue, sell, pledge, encumber, or
authorize the issuance of, or otherwise permit to become outstanding, any
additional shares of Chilton County Common Stock, or any Right to acquire any
such stock; or



                                     22
<PAGE>   28


                 (e)      adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital
stock of Chilton County or issue or authorize the issuance of any other
securities in respect of or in substitution for shares of Chilton County Common
Stock, or sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise dispose of or otherwise encumber
any Asset (other than loan participations) having a book value in excess of
$25,000 other than in the ordinary course of business for reasonable and
adequate consideration; or

                 (f)      except for purchases of U.S. Treasury securities or
U.S. Government agency securities, which in either case have maturities of five
years or less, purchase any securities, specifically including but not limited
to, derivative securities as such term is defined by the Regulatory
Authorities, or make any Material investment, either by purchase of stock of
securities, contributions to capital, Asset transfers, or purchase of any
Assets, in any Person, or otherwise acquire direct or indirect control over any
Person, other than in connection with (i) foreclosures in the ordinary course
of business, or (ii) acquisitions of control in its fiduciary capacity; or

                 (g)      grant any increase in compensation or benefits to the
employees or officers of Chilton County except in accordance with past practice
disclosed in Section 7.2(g) of the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum or as
required by Law; pay any severance or termination pay or any bonus other than
pursuant to written policies or written Contracts in effect on the date of this
Agreement and disclosed in Section 7.2(g) of the Chilton County Disclosure
Memorandum; enter into or amend any severance agreements with officers of
Chilton County; grant any Material increase in fees or other increases in
compensation or other benefits to directors of Chilton County except in
accordance with past practice disclosed in Section 7.2(g) of the Chilton County
Disclosure Memorandum; or voluntarily accelerate the vesting of any Chilton
County Options or other stock-based compensation or employee benefits; or

                 (h)      enter into or amend any employment Contract between
Chilton County and any Person (unless such amendment is required by Law) that
Chilton County does not have the unconditional right to terminate without
Liability (other than Liability for services already rendered), at any time on
or after the Effective Time; or

                 (i)      adopt any new employee benefit plan of Chilton County
or make any Material change in or to any existing employee benefit plans of
Chilton County other than any such change that is required by Law or that, in
the opinion of counsel, is necessary or advisable to maintain the tax qualified
status of any such plan; or

                 (j)      make any significant change in any Tax or accounting
methods or systems of internal accounting controls, except as may be
appropriate to conform to changes in Tax Laws or regulatory accounting
requirements or GAAP; or

                 (k)      commence any Litigation other than in accordance with
past practice, settle any Litigation involving any Liability of Chilton County
for Material money damages or restrictions upon the operations of Chilton
County; or

                 (l)      except in the ordinary course of business, modify,
amend or terminate any Material Contract or waive, release, compromise or
assign any Material rights or claims.

         7.3     COVENANTS OF SOUTHFIRST.  From the date of this Agreement
until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement,
SouthFirst covenants and agrees that it shall (i) continue to conduct its
business and the business of its Subsidiaries in a manner designed in its
reasonable judgment, to enhance the long-term value of the SouthFirst Common
Stock and the business prospects of the SouthFirst Companies; and (ii) take no
action which would (a) Materially adversely affect the ability of any Party to



                                     23
<PAGE>   29

obtain any Consents required for the transactions contemplated hereby without
imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred to in the last
sentence of Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement, or (b) Materially adversely
affect the ability of any Party to perform its covenants and agreements under
this Agreement; provided, that the foregoing shall not prevent any SouthFirst
Company from discontinuing or disposing of any of its Assets or business if
such action is, in the judgment of SouthFirst, desirable in the conduct of the
business of SouthFirst and its Subsidiaries; and (iii) adjust, split, combine
or reclassify any SouthFirst Capital Stock or issue or authorize the issuance
of any other securities in respect of or in substitution for SouthFirst Common
Stock, except for those certain shares of SouthFirst Common Stock currently
held by SouthFirst as treasury shares, of which not more than 39,500 shares
shall be issued prior to the Effective Time in connection with certain
employment agreements contemplated by Benefit Financial.  SouthFirst further
covenants and agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the
Chief Executive Officer of Chilton County, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, amend the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of
SouthFirst, in each case in any manner adverse to the holders of shares of
Chilton County Common Stock.

         7.4     ADVERSE CHANGES IN CONDITION.  Each Party agrees to give
written notice promptly to the other Party upon becoming aware of the
occurrence or impending occurrence of any event or circumstance which (i) is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on it or (ii) would cause or constitute a Material breach of any of its
representations, warranties, or covenants contained herein, and to use its
reasonable efforts to prevent or promptly to remedy the same.

         7.5     REPORTS.  Each Party shall file all reports required to be
filed by each of them with Regulatory Authorities between the date of this
Agreement and the Effective Time and shall deliver to the other Party copies of
all such reports promptly after the same are filed. If financial statements are
contained in any such reports filed by SouthFirst with the SEC, such financial
statements will fairly present the consolidated financial position of the
entity filing such statements as of the dates indicated and the consolidated
results of operations, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the
periods then ended in accordance with GAAP (subject in the case of interim
financial statements to normal recurring year-end adjustments that are not
Material and except for the absence of certain footnote information in the
unaudited financial statements). As of their respective dates, such reports
filed with the SEC will comply in all Material respects with the Securities
Laws and will not contain any untrue statement of a Material fact or omit to
state a Material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. Any financial statements contained in any other
reports to another Regulatory Authority shall be prepared in accordance with
Laws applicable to such reports.

         7.6     CONTROL OF CHILTON COUNTY BY SOUTHFIRST.  Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, until the Effective Time, the authority to
establish and implement the business policies of Chilton County shall continue
to reside solely in Chilton County's officers and Board of Directors.

                                  ARTICLE 8

                            ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

         8.1     REGISTRATION STATEMENT; PROSPECTUS/JOINT PROXY STATEMENT; 
                 SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS.

         (a)     As soon as practicable after execution of this Agreement (in
no event later than May 1, 1997), SouthFirst shall (i) file the Registration
Statement with the SEC and shall use its best efforts to cause the Registration
Statement, including the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement, to become effective
under the 1933 Act, and (ii) take any action required to be taken under
applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws in connection with the issuance
of shares of SouthFirst Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger.



                                     24
<PAGE>   30

Chilton County shall promptly furnish all information concerning it and the
holders of its capital stock as SouthFirst may reasonably request in connection
with such action.

         (b)     Chilton County shall call the Chilton County Shareholders'
Meeting and SouthFirst shall call the SouthFirst Shareholders' Meeting, each to
be held on a date or dates as soon as practicable after the Registration
Statement is declared effective by the SEC.

         (c)     The Boards of Directors of each of Chilton County and
SouthFirst shall (subject to compliance with their fiduciary duties as advised
by counsel and receipt of their respective fairness opinions pursuant to this
Agreement) (i) recommend to their shareholders approval of this Agreement and
(ii) use their reasonable efforts to obtain such shareholders' approvals.

         8.2     APPLICATIONS.  SouthFirst shall promptly prepare and file, and
Chilton County shall cooperate in the preparation and, where appropriate,
filing of, applications with all Regulatory Authorities having jurisdiction
over the transactions contemplated by this Agreement seeking the requisite
Consents necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and thereafter use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to
be consummated as expeditiously as possible.

         8.3     FILINGS WITH STATE OFFICES.  Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement, SouthFirst shall execute and make any applicable
filings with state regulatory authorities in connection with the Closing.

         8.4     AGREEMENT AS TO EFFORTS TO CONSUMMATE.  Subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, each Party agrees to use, its reasonable best
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary, proper, or advisable under applicable Laws to
consummate and make effective, as soon as practicable after the date of this
Agreement, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the use
of their respective reasonable best efforts to lift or rescind any Order
adversely affecting its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated
herein and to cause to be satisfied the conditions referred to in Article 9 of
this Agreement; provided, that nothing herein shall preclude either Party from
exercising its rights under this Agreement. Each Party shall use, and
SouthFirst shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to use, its reasonable efforts
to obtain all Permits and Consents of all third parties and Regulatory
Authorities necessary or desirable for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

         8.5     ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY.

         (a)     Prior to the Effective Time, SouthFirst, First Federal and
Chilton County will keep one another advised of all Material developments
relevant to its business and to consummation of the Merger and shall permit
each other to make or cause to be made such investigation of their business and
properties and of their respective financial and legal conditions as the other
Party reasonably requests, provided that such investigation shall be reasonably
related to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not interfere
unnecessarily with normal operations.

         (b)     Except as may be required by applicable Law or legal process,
and except for such disclosure to those of its directors, officers, employees
and representatives as may be appropriate or required in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, SouthFirst, First Federal and Chilton County
shall hold in confidence all nonpublic information obtained from each other
(including work papers and other Material derived therefrom) as a result of
this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
(whether so obtained before or after the execution hereof) until such time as
the Party providing such information consents so its disclosure or such
information becomes otherwise publicly available.  Promptly



                                     25
<PAGE>   31

following any termination of this Agreement, SouthFirst, First Federal and
Chilton County agree to use their best efforts to cause their respective
directors, officers, employees and representatives to destroy or return to the
providing Party all such nonpublic information (including work papers and other
Material retrieved therefrom), including all copies thereof.  SouthFirst, First
Federal and Chilton County shall, and shall cause its advisers and agents to,
maintain the confidentiality of all confidential information furnished to it by
the other Party concerning its businesses, operations, and financial positions
and shall not use such information for any purpose except in furtherance of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  If this Agreement is terminated
prior to the Effective Time, SouthFirst, First Federal and Chilton County shall
promptly return all documents and copies thereof and all work papers containing
confidential information received from the other Party, except one copy of
certain Materials that can be retained for legal files.

         (c)     Each Party agrees to give the other Party notice as soon as
practicable after any determination by it of any fact or occurrence relating to
the other Party which it has discovered through the course of its investigation
and which represents, or is reasonably likely to represent, either a Material
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the other
Party or which has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the other Party.

         8.6     DIVIDEND PAYMENT.  After the date of this Agreement and until
the Effective Time, Chilton County may declare and pay a dividend not to exceed
$.28 per share to holders of Chilton County Common Stock.

         8.7     CURRENT INFORMATION.  During the period from the date of this
Agreement until the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, each
of Chilton County and SouthFirst shall, and shall cause its representatives to,
confer on a regular and frequent basis with representatives of the other.  Each
of Chilton County and SouthFirst shall promptly notify the other of (i) any
Material change in its business or operations, (ii) any Material complaints,
investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that the same may be
contemplated) of any Regulatory Authority, (iii) the institution or the threats
of Material litigation involving such party, or (iv) the occurrence, or
nonoccurrence, of any event or condition the occurrence, or nonoccurrence, of
which would reasonably be expected to cause any of such party's representations
or warranties set forth herein that are qualified as to materiality to become
untrue or inaccurate in any respect as of the Effective Time, and in each case
shall keep the other fully informed with respect thereto.

         8.8     OTHER ACTIONS.  No Party shall take any action, except in
every case as may be required by applicable Law, that would or is intended to
result in (i) any of its representations and warranties set forth in this
Agreement that are qualified as to materiality being or becoming untrue, (ii)
any of such representations and warranties that are not so qualified becoming
untrue in any Material manner having a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) any of
the conditions set forth in this Agreement not being satisfied or in a
violation of any provision of this Agreement, or (iv) adversely affecting the
ability of any of them to obtain any of the Consents or Permits from the
Regulatory Authorities (unless such action is required by sound banking
practice).

         8.9     PRESS RELEASES.  Prior to the Effective Time, Chilton County
and SouthFirst shall consult with each other as to the form and substance of
any press release or other public disclosure Materially related to this
Agreement or any other transaction contemplated hereby; provided, that nothing
in this Section 8.9 shall be deemed to prohibit any Party from making any
disclosure which its counsel deems necessary or advisable in order to satisfy
such Party's disclosure obligations imposed by Law.

         8.10    AFFILIATES.  Chilton County has disclosed in Section 8.10 of
the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum all Persons whom it reasonably
believes are "affiliates" of Chilton County for purposes of Rule 145 under the
1933 Act.



                                     26
<PAGE>   32


         8.11    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

         (a)     Following the Effective Time, SouthFirst shall provide
generally to officers and employees of Chilton County, employee benefits under
employee benefit plans (other than stock option or other plans involving the
potential issuance of SouthFirst Common Stock), on terms and conditions which
when taken as a whole are no less favorable than those currently provided by
Chilton County or those currently provided by the SouthFirst Companies to their
similarly situated officers and employees; provided, that, for a period of 12
months after the Effective Time, SouthFirst shall provide generally to officers
and employees of Chilton County severance benefits in accordance with the
policies of First Federal.  For purposes of eligibility, participation and
vesting (but not benefit accrual under any employee benefit plans of SouthFirst
and its subsidiaries other than the Chilton County Benefit Plans) under such
employee benefit plans, and for receiving other employee benefits including,
but not limited to, vacation and sick pay, the service of the employees of
Chilton County prior to the Effective Time shall be treated as service with
First Federal.

         (b)     Chilton County will terminate Chilton County's Profit Sharing
Plan prior to the Effective Time and employees of Chilton County who are
participants in such Plan and who become employees of SouthFirst or the
Surviving Bank as of the Effective Time may have their account balances
transferred to the 401(k) Plan maintained by First Federal.

         8.12    INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a)     SouthFirst shall, and shall cause the Surviving Bank to,
indemnify, defend and hold harmless the present and former directors, officers,
employees and agents of Chilton County (the "Indemnified Party") against all
Liabilities arising out of actions or omissions occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time (including the actions contemplated by this Agreement) to the
full extent permitted under applicable Law and by the Federal Stock Charter and
Bylaws of Chilton County as in effect on the date hereof, including provisions
relating to advances of expenses incurred in the defense of any Litigation.
SouthFirst or the Surviving Bank shall pay expenses in advance of the final
disposition of any such claim to such Indemnified Party to the full extent
permitted by law upon receipt of any undertaking required by Law.  Without
limiting the foregoing, in any case in which approval by the Surviving Bank is
required to effectuate any indemnification, SouthFirst shall cause the
Surviving Bank to direct, at the election of the Indemnified Party, that the
determination of any such approval shall be made, at SouthFirst's expense, by
independent counsel mutually agreed upon between SouthFirst and the Indemnified
Party.

         (b)     Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under
paragraph (a) of this Section 8.12, upon learning of any such Liability or
Litigation, shall promptly notify SouthFirst thereof.  In the event of any such
Litigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Time), (i) SouthFirst
or the Surviving Bank shall have the right to assume the defense thereof and
SouthFirst shall not be liable to such Indemnified Parties for any legal
expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such
Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense thereof except that if
SouthFirst or the Surviving Bank elects not to assume such defense or counsel
for the Indemnified Parties advises that there are substantive issues which
raise conflicts of interest between SouthFirst or the Surviving Bank and the
Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel satisfactory to
them, and SouthFirst or the Surviving Bank shall pay all reasonable fees and
expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties promptly as statements
therefor are received; provided, that SouthFirst shall be obligated pursuant to
this paragraph (c) to pay for only one firm of counsel for all Indemnified
Parties in any jurisdiction, (ii) the Indemnified Parties will cooperate in the
defense of any such Litigation, and (iii) SouthFirst shall not be liable for
any settlement effected without its prior written consent; and provided further
that the Surviving Bank shall not have any obligation hereunder to any
Indemnified Party when and if a court of competent jurisdiction shall
determine,



                                     27
<PAGE>   33

and such determination shall have become final, that the indemnification of
such Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by
applicable Law.

         (c)     SouthFirst shall, or shall cause the Surviving Bank to, (and
First Federal shall cooperate prior to the Effective Time in these efforts) to
maintain in effect, for a period of three years after the Effective Time, First
Federal's existing directors' and officers' Liability insurance policy
(provided that SouthFirst may substitute therefor its own or other policies of
at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions which
are substantially no less advantageous) with respect to claims arising from
facts or events which occurred prior to the Effective Time and covering persons
who are currently covered by such insurance; provided, however, that neither
SouthFirst nor the Surviving Bank shall be obligated to make premium payments
for such three-year period in respect of such policy (or coverage replacing
such policy) which exceed, for the portion related to First Federal's directors
and officers, 200% of the annual premium payments on First Federal's current
policy in effect as of the date of this Agreement (the "Maximum Amount").  If
the amount of the premiums necessary to maintain or procure such insurance
coverage exceeds the Maximum Amount, SouthFirst shall maintain the most
advantageous policies of directors' and officers' Liability insurance
obtainable for a premium equal to the Maximum Amount.

         (d)     If the Surviving Bank or any of its successors or assigns
shall consolidate with or merge into any other Person and shall not be the
continuing or surviving Person of such consolidation or merger or shall
transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, then and in each
case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the
Surviving Bank shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 8.12.

         8.13    NO SOLICITATION.

         (a)     Chilton County shall not, nor shall it authorize or permit any
officer, director of employee of, or any investment banker, attorney or other
advisor or representative of, Chilton County to (i) solicit or initiate, or
encourage the submission of, any takeover proposal or (ii) participate in any
discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information
with respect to, or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the
making of any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead
to, any Competing Transaction or superior proposal (as hereinafter defined);
provided, however, that, if in the opinion of its Board of Directors, after
consultation with counsel, such failure to act would be inconsistent with its
fiduciary duties to shareholders under applicable law, Chilton County may, in
response to an unsolicited takeover proposal, and subject to compliance with
subparagraph (c) below, (A) furnish information with respect to Chilton County
to any Person pursuant to a confidentiality agreement and (B) participate in
negotiations regarding such takeover proposal.  Without limiting the foregoing,
it is understood that any violation of the restrictions set forth in the
immediately preceding sentence by any executive officer of Chilton County or
any investment banker, attorney or other advisor or representative of Chilton
County, whether or not such person is purporting to act on behalf of Chilton
County or otherwise, shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 8.13 by
Chilton County.  For purposes of this Agreement, "takeover proposal" means an
inquiry, proposal or acquisition or purchase of a substantial amount of assets
of Chilton County (other than investors in the ordinary course of business) or
of over 20% of any class of equity securities of Chilton County or any tender
offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person
beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of equity securities of Chilton
County, or any merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of
substantially all assets, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar
transaction involving Chilton County other than the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, or any other transaction the consummation of which would
reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or Materially delay
the Merger or which would reasonably be expected to dilute Materially the
benefits to SouthFirst of the transactions contemplated hereby.



                                     28
<PAGE>   34

         (b)     Except as set forth herein, neither the Board of Directors of
Chilton County nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or modify, or
propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to SouthFirst, the approval
or recommendation of such Board of Directors or any such committee of this
Agreement or the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend, or propose to approve or
recommend, any takeover proposal or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect
to any takeover proposal.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if in the opinion of
the Chilton County Board of Directors, after consultation with counsel, failure
to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to Chilton County
shareholders under applicable law, then, prior to the Shareholders' Meeting,
the Chilton County Board of Directors may (subject to the terms of this and the
following sentences) withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of this
Agreement or the Merger, approve or recommend a superior proposal, or enter
into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal, in each case at any time
after the second business day following SouthFirst's receipt of written notice
(a "Notice of Superior Proposal") advising SouthFirst that the Chilton County
Board of Directors has received a superior proposal, specifying the Material
terms and conditions of such superior proposal and identifying the Person
making such superior proposal; provided that Chilton County shall not enter
into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal unless Chilton County
shall have furnished SouthFirst with written notice no later than 12:00 noon
one day in advance of any date that it intends to enter into such agreement.
In addition, if Chilton County proposes to enter into an agreement with respect
to any takeover proposal, it shall concurrently with entering into such
agreement pay, or cause to be paid, to SouthFirst the Termination Fee (as
defined in Section 11.2(b)).  For purposes of this Agreement, a "superior
proposal" means any bona fide takeover proposal to acquire, directly or
indirectly, for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities, more than
50% of the shares of Chilton County Common Stock then outstanding or all or
substantially all of the assets of Chilton County and otherwise on terms which
the Chilton County Board of Directors determines in good faith judgment (based
on the advice of a financial advisor of national reputation) to be more
favorable to its shareholders than the terms of this Agreement.

         (c)     In addition to the obligations of Chilton County set forth in
paragraph (b) above, Chilton County shall immediately advise SouthFirst orally
and in writing of any request for information or of any takeover proposal, the
Material terms and conditions of such request, takeover proposal or inquiry,
and the identity of the person making any takeover proposal or inquiry.
Chilton County shall keep SouthFirst fully informed of the status and details
(including amendments or proposed amendments) of any such request, takeover
proposal or inquiry.

         (d)     Nothing contained in this Section 8.13 shall prohibit Chilton
County from making any disclosure to Chilton County's shareholders if, in the
opinion of the Chilton County Board of Directors, after consultation with
counsel, failure to so disclose would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties
to its shareholders under applicable law; provided that Chilton County does
not, except as permitted by subparagraph (b) above, withdraw or modify, or
propose to withdraw or modify, its position with respect to the Merger or
approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, a takeover proposal.

         8.14    LISTING OF SHARES ON THE AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE. SouthFirst
undertakes, prior to the Effective Time, to cause the shares of SouthFirst
Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger to be listed on the American
Stock Exchange.



                                     29
<PAGE>   35


                                  ARTICLE 9

              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE

         9.1     CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH PARTY.  The respective
obligations of each Party to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions, unless waived by both Parties pursuant to Section
11.7 of this Agreement:

                 (a)      SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS.  The shareholders of Chilton
County, First Federal and SouthFirst shall have approved this Agreement, and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger,
as and to the extent required by Law and the rules and regulations of the
American Stock Exchange.

                 (b)      REGULATORY APPROVALS.  All Consents of, filings and
registrations with, and notifications to, all Regulatory Authorities required
for consummation of the Merger shall have been obtained or made and shall be in
full force and effect and all waiting periods required by Law shall have
expired. No Consent obtained from any Regulatory Authority which is necessary
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be conditioned or
restricted in a manner (including requirements relating to the raising of
additional capital or the disposition of Assets) which in the reasonable
judgment of the Board of Directors of either Party would so Materially
adversely impact the economic or business benefits of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement that, had such condition or requirement been
known, such Party would not, in its reasonable judgment, have entered into this
Agreement.

                 (c)      CONSENTS AND APPROVALS.  Each Party shall have
obtained any and all Consents required for consummation of the Merger (other
than those referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement or listed in Section
9.1(c) of the Chilton County Disclosure Memorandum) or for the preventing of
any default under any Contract of such Party which, if not obtained or made, is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on such Party.

                 (d)      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.  No court or governmental or
regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced, or entered any Law or Order (whether temporary,
preliminary, or permanent) or taken any other action which prohibits,
restricts, or makes illegal consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

                 (e)      REGISTRATION STATEMENT.  The Registration Statement
shall have been declared effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop orders
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been
issued, and no action, suit, proceeding, or investigation by the SEC to suspend
the effectiveness thereof shall have been initiated and be continuing, and all
necessary approvals under state securities Laws or the 1933 Act or 1934 Act
relating to the issuance or trading of the shares of SouthFirst Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the Merger shall have been received.

                 (f)      TAX MATTERS.  Each Party shall have received a
written opinion or opinions from Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, counsel to
SouthFirst, in a form reasonably satisfactory to such Parties (the "Tax
Opinion"), to the effect that (i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and (ii) the
exchange in the Merger of shares of Chilton County Common Stock for SouthFirst
Common Stock will not give rise to gain or loss to the shareholders of Chilton
County with respect to such exchange (except to the extent of any cash
received). In rendering such Tax



                                     30
<PAGE>   36

Opinion, such counsel shall be entitled to rely upon representations of
officers of Chilton County and SouthFirst reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to such counsel.

         9.2     CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SOUTHFIRST.  The obligations of
SouthFirst to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by SouthFirst pursuant to Section 11.7(a)
of this Agreement:

                 (a)      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  For purposes of
this Section 9.2(a), the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
Chilton County set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the date of
this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same effect as though all
such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Effective
Time (provided that representations and warranties which are confined to a
specified date shall speak only as of such date). The representations and
warranties of Chilton County set forth in Section 5.3 of this Agreement shall
be true and correct (except for inaccuracies which are de minimus in amount,
i.e., less than $5,000). The representations and warranties of Chilton County
set forth in Sections 5.18, 5.19 and 5.20 of this Agreement shall be true and
correct in all Material respects. There shall not exist inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties of Chilton County set forth in this Agreement
(including the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.3, 5.18,
5.19, and 5.20) such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is
reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect on Chilton County;
provided that, for purposes of this sentence only, those representations and
warranties which are qualified by references to "Material" or "Material Adverse
Effect" shall be deemed not to include such qualifications.

                 (b)      PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS.  Each and
all of the agreements and covenants of Chilton County to be performed and
complied with pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated
hereby prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied
with in all Material respects.

                 (c)      CERTIFICATES.  Chilton County shall have delivered to
SouthFirst (i) a certificate, dated as of the Effective Time and signed on its
behalf by its chief executive officer and its chief financial officer, to the
effect that the conditions of its obligations set forth in Section 9.2(a) and
9.2(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of
resolutions duly adopted by Chilton County's Board of Directors and
shareholders evidencing the taking of all corporate action necessary to
authorize the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable
detail as SouthFirst and its counsel shall request.

                 (d)      PRICE CONSIDERATION.  The Average Closing Price 
exceeds $15.50.

                 (e)      LOAN LOSS RESERVES.  Prior to the Effective Time, the
loan loss reserves of Chilton County shall be not less than $260,000.

                 (f)      SALE OF CERTAIN SECURITIES.  Prior to the Effective
Time, Chilton County shall cause to be sold or shall have placed binding and
confirmed orders to sell, as requested by SouthFirst, any of the investment
securities held in the "available for sale" investment portfolio of Chilton
County.  Chilton County shall provide to SouthFirst evidence reasonably
satisfactory to SouthFirst that such sales have been effected or binding orders
for sale have been placed and confirmed on or before such date and time.

                 (g)      LOSS ON INVESTMENT SECURITIES.   Prior to the
Effective Time, the unrealized loss on investment securities held in the "held
to maturity" investment portfolio of Chilton County shall not exceed $500,000.



                                     31
<PAGE>   37


                 (h)      NET WORTH.  The GAAP tangible net worth of 
Chilton County shall not be less than Four Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
($4.2 million), excluding any adjustment for additional loan loss reserves of
Chilton County as determined by Chilton County, prior to the Effective Time, as
necessary to reflect Chilton County's good faith estimate of the
uncollectibility of any loans held by Chilton County, not to exceed Four
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000).

                 (i)      OPINION OF COUNSEL.  SouthFirst shall have
received a written opinion of Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, Norris &
Rieselbach, P.C., and Capell, Howard, Knabe & Cobbs, P.A., counsel to Chilton
County, dated as of the Effective Time, with respect to such matters and in
such form as shall be agreed upon between such firm and South First.

                 (j)      FAIRNESS OPINION. SouthFirst shall have
received from Trident Financial Corporation a letter, dated not more than five
Business Days prior to the date of the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement, to the
effect that, in the opinion of such firm, the Exchange Ratio and the Cash Price
Per Share are fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of
SouthFirst Common Stock, and such opinion shall not be withdrawn prior to the
SouthFirst Shareholders' meeting.

                 (k)      EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT OF CERTAIN OFFICER OF CHILTON
COUNTY.  SouthFirst shall provide Mr. Bobby R. Cook ("Cook"), and Cook shall
enter into, the new First Federal employment contract (attached hereto as
Exhibit 2) in exchange for the cancellation by Cook of his existing Chilton
County employment contract and corresponding change of control and severance
pay agreements.

                 (l)      LIMITATION ON DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS.  The
holders of not more than 10% of all of the issued and outstanding shares of
Chilton County Common Stock shall have filed written notice of intent to demand
payment for their shares and voted against the Merger pursuant to the Dissenter
Provisions.

         9.3     CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF CHILTON COUNTY.  The obligations
of Chilton County to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by Chilton County pursuant to Section
11.7(b) of this Agreement:

                 (a)      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  For purposes of
this Section 9.3(a), the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
SouthFirst set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same effect as though all such
representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Effective Time
(provided that representations and warranties which are confined to a specified
date shall speak only as of such date). The representations and warranties of
SouthFirst set forth in Section 6.3 of this Agreement shall be true and correct
(except for inaccuracies which are de minimus in amount, i.e., less than
$5,000). The representations and warranties of SouthFirst set forth in Section
6.11 of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all Material respects.
There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of
SouthFirst set forth in this Agreement (including the representations and
warranties set forth in Sections 6.3 and 6.11) such that the aggregate effect
of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse
Effect on SouthFirst; provided that, for purposes of this sentence only, those
representations and warranties which are qualified by references to "Material"
or "Material Adverse Effect" shall be deemed not to include such
qualifications.

                 (b)      PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS.  Each and
all of the agreements and covenants of SouthFirst to be performed and complied
with pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby
prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in
all Material respects.



                                     32
<PAGE>   38

                 (c)      CERTIFICATES.  SouthFirst shall have delivered to
Chilton County (i) a certificate, dated as of the Effective Time and signed on
its behalf by its chief executive officer and its chief financial officer, to
the effect that the conditions of its obligations set forth in Section 9.3(a)
and 9.3(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of
resolutions duly adopted by SouthFirst's Board of Directors and shareholders
evidencing the taking of all corporate action necessary to authorize the
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as First
Federal and its counsel shall request.

                 (d)      FAIRNESS OPINION.  Chilton County shall have received
from Professional Bank Services, Inc. a letter, dated not more than five
Business Days prior to the date of the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement, to the
effect that, in the opinion of such firm, the Exchange Ratio and the Cash Price
Per Share are fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Chilton
County Common Stock, and such opinion shall not be withdrawn prior to the
Chilton County Shareholders' Meeting.

                 (e)      PAYMENT OF CONSIDERATION.  SouthFirst shall have
delivered to Exchange Agent the consideration to be paid to holders of the
shares of Chilton County Common Stock pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.4 of this
Agreement.

                 (f)      PRICE CONDITION.  The Average Closing Price is less
than $10.50.

                 (g)      OPINION OF COUNSEL.  Chilton County shall have
received a written opinion of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, counsel to
SouthFirst, dated as of the Effective Time, with respect to such matters and in
such form as shall be agreed upon between such firm and Chilton County.

                                 ARTICLE 10

                                 TERMINATION

         10.1    TERMINATION.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, and notwithstanding the approval of this Agreement by the
shareholders of Chilton County, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time:

                 (a)      By mutual written consent of SouthFirst and Chilton 
County; or

                 (b)      By either SouthFirst or Chilton County if (i) the
Merger shall not have been consummated on or before October 31, 1997 (the
"Termination Date") provided the terminating party shall not have breached in
any material respect its obligations under this Agreement in a manner that
proximately contributed to the failure to consummate the Merger by such date,
(ii) any governmental or regulatory body, the consent of which is a condition
to the obligations of SouthFirst and Chilton County to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, shall have determined not to grant its
consent and all appeals of such determination shall have been taken and have
been unsuccessful, or (iii) any court of competent jurisdiction in the United
States or any State shall have issued an order, judgment or decree (other than
a temporary restraining order) restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the Merger and such order, judgment or decree shall have become final and
nonappealable.

                 (c)      By SouthFirst:

                          (i)     if any event shall have occurred as a result
                                  of which any condition set forth in Sections
                                  9.1 or 9.2 is no longer capable of being
                                  satisfied; or



                                     33
<PAGE>   39


                          (ii)    if there has been a breach by Chilton County
                                  of any representation or warranty contained
                                  in this Agreement which would have or would
                                  be reasonably likely to have a Material
                                  Adverse Effect on the assets, liabilities,
                                  financial condition, results of operations,
                                  business or prospects of Chilton County, or
                                  there has been a Material breach of any of
                                  the covenants or agreements set forth in this
                                  Agreement on the part of Chilton County,
                                  which breach is not curable, or, if curable,
                                  is not cured within 20 days after written
                                  notice of such breach is given by SouthFirst
                                  to Chilton County; or

                          (iii)   if Chilton County (or its Board of Directors)
                                  shall have authorized, recommended, proposed
                                  or publicly announced its intention to enter
                                  into a superior proposal (as defined in
                                  Section 8.13(b)) or a Competing Transaction
                                  (as hereinafter defined) which has not been
                                  consented to in writing by SouthFirst; or

                          (iv)    if the Board of Directors of Chilton County
                                  shall have withdrawn or materially modified
                                  its authorization, approval or recommendation
                                  to the holders of Chilton County Common Stock
                                  with respect to the Merger or this Agreement
                                  in a manner adverse to SouthFirst, unless the
                                  fairness opinion pursuant to Section 9.3(d)
                                  shall have been withdrawn or, after receipt
                                  of a fairness opinion pursuant to Section
                                  9.3(d), shall have failed to make the
                                  favorable recommendation required by Section
                                  8.1(c); or

                          (v)     if the Average Closing Price exceeds $15.50.

                 (d)              By Chilton County:

                          (i)     if any event shall have occurred as a result
                                  of which any condition set forth in Sections
                                  9.1 or 9.3 is no longer capable of being
                                  satisfied; or

                          (ii)    if there has been a breach by SouthFirst of
                                  any representation or warranty contained in
                                  this Agreement which would have or would be
                                  reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
                                  Effect on the assets, liabilities, financial
                                  condition, results of operations, business or
                                  prospects of SouthFirst and its Subsidiaries
                                  taken as a whole, or there has been a
                                  Material breach of any of the covenants or
                                  agreements set forth in this Agreement on the
                                  part of SouthFirst which breach is not
                                  curable or, if curable, is not cured within
                                  20 days after written notice of such breach
                                  is given by Chilton County to SouthFirst; or

                          (iii)   if the Board of Directors of SouthFirst shall
                                  have withdrawn or materially modified its
                                  authorization, approval or recommendation to
                                  the holders of SouthFirst Common Stock with
                                  respect to the Merger or this Agreement in a
                                  manner adverse to Chilton County, unless the
                                  fairness opinion pursuant to Section 9.2(j)
                                  shall have been withdrawn or, after receipt
                                  of a fairness opinion pursuant to Section
                                  9.2(j), shall have failed to make the
                                  favorable recommendation required by Section
                                  8.1(c); or

                          (iv)    if the Average Closing Price is less than 
                                  $10.50.


                                     34
<PAGE>   40


For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Competing Transaction" means any of
the following involving Chilton County (other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement):  (1) any merger, consolidation, share
exchange, business combination, or other similar transaction; (2) any sale,
lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of 15% or more
of the assets of Chilton County in a single transaction or series of
transactions to the same person, entity or group; or (3) any public
announcement of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of the foregoing or any
agreement to engage in any of the foregoing.


                                 ARTICLE 11

                                MISCELLANEOUS

         11.1    DEFINITIONS.

         (a)     Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized terms set
forth below shall have the following meanings:

                 "1933 ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                 "1934 ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

                 "ACQUISITION PROPOSAL" with respect to a Party shall mean any
tender offer or exchange offer or any proposal for a merger, acquisition of all
of the stock or assets of, or other business combination involving such Party
or any of its Subsidiaries or any proposal or offer to acquire in any manner a
substantial equity interest in, or a substantial portion of the assets of, such
Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the transactions contemplated or
permitted by this Agreement).

                 "AFFILIATE" of a Person shall mean: (i) any other Person
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling,
controlled by or under common control with such Person or (ii) any officer,
director, partner, employer, or direct or indirect owner of any 10% or greater
equity or voting interest of such Person.

                 "AGGREGATE CASH AMOUNT" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1(e) hereof.

                 "AGREEMENT" shall mean this Agreement and Plan of Merger,
including the Exhibits delivered pursuant hereto and incorporated herein by
reference.

                "ALLOWANCE" shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 5.8 
and 6.8 hereof.

                 "ASSETS" of a Person shall mean all of the assets, properties,
businesses, and rights of such Person of every kind, nature, character, and
description, whether real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, accrued
or contingent, or otherwise relating to or utilized in such Person's business,
directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, whether or not carried on the
books and records of such Person, and whether or not owned in the name of such
Person or any Affiliate of such Person and wherever located.

                 "AVERAGE CLOSING PRICE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1(d) hereof.

                 "BENEFIT FINANCIAL" shall have the meaning set forth in 
Section 3.2 hereof.

                 "BUSINESS DAY(S)" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.1(d) hereof.

                 "CASH ELECTION SHARES" shall have the meaning set forth in 
Section 3.1(e) hereof.



                                     35
<PAGE>   41


                 "CHILTON COUNTY" shall have the meaning set forth in the 
first paragraph hereof.

                 "CHILTON COUNTY BENEFITS PLANS" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.13(a) hereof.

                 "CHILTON COUNTY COMMON STOCK" shall mean the $.01 par value
common shares of Chilton County.

                 "CHILTON COUNTY CONTRACT" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.14 hereof.

                 "CHILTON COUNTY DISCLOSURE MEMORANDUM" shall mean the written
information entitled "Chilton County Corporation Disclosure Memorandum"
delivered prior to the date of this Agreement to SouthFirst describing in
reasonable detail the matters contained therein and, with respect to each
disclosure made therein, specifically referencing each Section of this
Agreement under which such disclosure is being made. Information disclosed with
respect to one Section shall not be deemed to be disclosed for purposes of any
other Section not specifically referenced with respect thereto.

                 "CHILTON COUNTY ERISA PLAN" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 5.13(a) hereof.

                 "CHILTON COUNTY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" shall mean (i) the
balance sheets (including related notes and schedules, if any) of Chilton
County as of [the latest reported period], and as of June 30, 1996 and 1995,
and the related statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash
flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) for the 6 months ended
[the latest reported period], and for each of the three fiscal years ended June
30, 1996, 1995, and 1994.

                 "CHILTON COUNTY OPTIONS" shall have the meaning set forth in 
Section 3.5 hereof.

                 "CHILTON COUNTY SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING" shall mean the meeting
of the shareholders of Chilton County to be held pursuant to Section 8.1 of
this Agreement, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

                 "CHILTON COUNTY STOCK PLANS" shall mean the existing stock
Chilton County set forth in Section 3.5 of the Chilton County Disclosure
Memorandum.

                 "CLOSING" shall mean the closing of the transactions
contemplated hereby, as described in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.

                 "CLOSING DATE" shall mean the date on which the Closing
occurs.

                 "COMPETING TRANSACTION" shall have the meaning set forth in 
Section 10.1 hereof.

                 "CONSENT" shall mean any consent, approval, authorization,
clearance, exemption, waiver, or similar affirmation by any Person.

                 "CONTRACT" shall mean any written:  agreement, commitment,
contract, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, instrument, lease, obligation,
license, plan, of any kind or character, or other written document to which any
Person is a party or that is binding on any Person or its capital stock or
Assets.



                                     36
<PAGE>   42


                 "DEFAULT" shall mean (i) any breach or violation of or default
         under any Contract, or (ii) any occurrence of any event that with the
         passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a
         breach or violation of or default under any Contract, or (iii) any
         occurrence of any event that with or without the passage of time or
         the giving of notice would give rise to a right to terminate or
         revoke, change the current terms of, or renegotiate, or to accelerate,
         increase, or impose any Liability under, any Contract, Order, where,
         in any such event, such default is reasonably likely to have a
         Material Adverse Effect on a Party.

                 "DERIVATIVES CONTRACT" shall have the meaning set forth in 
         Section 5.20 hereof.

                 "DISSENTER PROVISIONS" shall have the meaning set forth in 
         Section 3.1(b) hereof.

                 "EFFECTIVE TIME" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         1.3 hereof.

                 "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security 
         Act of 1974, as amended.

                 "EXCHANGE AGENT" shall mean a bank or trust company selected
         by SouthFirst to act as exchange agent to effectuate the delivery of
         the Merger consideration to holders of Chilton County Common Stock
         pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof.

                 "EXCHANGE RATIO" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 
         3.1(d) hereof.

                 "EXHIBITS" 1 through 2, shall mean the Exhibits so marked,
         copies of which are attached to this Agreement. Such Exhibits are
         hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof, and
         may be referred to in this Agreement and any other related instrument
         or document without being attached hereto.

                 "FDIC" shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

                 "FIRST FEDERAL" shall have the meaning set forth in the first
         paragraph hereof.

                 "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in
         the United States consistently applied during the periods involved
         applicable to banks or bank holding companies, as the case may be.

                 "INDEMNIFIED PARTY" shall have the meaning set forth in 
         Section 8.13(a) hereof.

                 "INTERNAL REVENUE CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code
         of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
         thereunder.

                 "IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.

                 "KNOWLEDGE" as used with respect to a Person (including
         references to such Person being aware of a particular matter) shall
         mean the personal knowledge of the chairman, president, chief
         financial officer, chief accounting officer, chief credit officer,
         general counsel, any assistant or deputy general counsel, or any
         senior or executive vice president of such Person and the knowledge of
         any such persons obtained or which would have been obtained from a
         reasonable investigation.



                                     37
<PAGE>   43


                 "LAW" shall mean any code, law, ordinance, regulation,
         reporting or licensing requirement, rule, or statute applicable to a
         Person or its Assets, Liabilities, or business, including those
         promulgated, interpreted, or enforced by any Regulatory Authority.

                 "LIABILITY" shall mean any direct or indirect, primary or
         secondary, liability, indebtedness, obligation, penalty, cost or
         expense (including costs of investigation, collection and defense),
         claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any Person (other
         than endorsement of notes, bills, checks, and drafts presented for
         collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business) of any type,
         whether accrued, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated,
         matured or unmatured, or otherwise.

                 "LIEN" with respect to any Asset shall mean any conditional
         sale agreement, default of title, easement, encroachment, encumbrance,
         hypothecation, infringement, lien, mortgage, pledge, reservation,
         restriction, security interest, title retention, or other security
         arrangement, or any adverse right or interest, charge, or claim of any
         nature whatsoever of, on, or with respect to any property or property
         interest, other than (i) Liens for current property Taxes not yet due
         and payable,(ii) for Chilton County or First Federal, pledges to
         secure deposits, and (iii) other Liens incurred in the ordinary course
         of the banking business.

                 "LITIGATION" shall mean any action, arbitration, cause of
         action, claim, complaint, criminal prosecution, demand letter,
         governmental or other examination or investigation, hearing, inquiry,
         administrative or other proceeding, or notice by any Person alleging
         potential Liability.

                 "LOAN PROPERTY" shall mean any property owned, leased, or
         operated by the Party in question or by any of its Subsidiaries or in
         which such Party or its Subsidiary holds a security or other interest
         (including an interest in a fiduciary capacity) where required by the
         context, includes the owner or operator of such property, but only
         with respect to such property.

                 "MATERIAL" shall be determined in light of the facts and
         circumstances of the matter in question; provided that any specific
         monetary amount stated in this Agreement shall determine materiality
         in that instance.

                 "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" on a Party shall mean an event,
         change, or occurrence which, individually or together with any other
         event, change, or occurrence, has a Material adverse impact on (i) the
         financial position, business, or results of operations of such Party
         and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of such
         Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate
         the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
         provided that "Material Adverse Effect" shall not be deemed to include
         the impact of (a) changes in banking and similar Laws of general
         applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or governmental
         authorities, (b) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting principles
         generally applicable to banks and their holding companies, (c) actions
         and omissions of a Party (or any of its Subsidiaries) taken with the
         prior informed consent of the other Party in contemplation of the
         transactions contemplated hereby, (d) circumstances affecting regional
         bank holding companies generally, and (e) the Merger and compliance
         with the provisions of this Agreement on the operating performance of
         the Parties.

                 "MERGER" shall mean the merger of Chilton County with and into
         First Federal referred to in the Preamble hereof.

                 "OTS" shall mean the Office of Thrift Supervision.



                                     38
<PAGE>   44


                 "ORDER" shall mean any decree, injunction, judgment, order,
         decision or award, ruling, or writ of any federal, state, local, or
         foreign or other court, arbitrator, mediator, tribunal, administrative
         agency, or Regulatory Authority.

                 "PARTICIPATION FACILITY" shall mean any facility or property
         in which the Party in question or any of its Subsidiaries participates
         in the management and, where required by the context, said term means
         the owner or operator of such facility or property, but only with
         respect to such facility or property.

                 "PARTY" shall mean either Chilton County, First Federal or
         SouthFirst, and "Parties" shall mean Chilton County, First Federal and
         SouthFirst.

                 "PERMIT" shall mean any federal, state, local, and foreign
         governmental approval, authorization, certificate, easement, filing,
         franchise, license, notice, permit, or right to which any Person is a
         party or that is or may be binding upon or inure to the benefit of any
         Person.

                 "PERSON" shall mean a natural person or any legal, commercial,
         or governmental entity, such as, but not limited to, a corporation,
         general partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited
         Liability company, trust, business association, group acting in
         concert, or any person acting in a representative capacity.

                 "PROSPECTUS/JOINT PROXY STATEMENT" shall mean both the
         prospectus used by SouthFirst to offer and sell shares of SouthFirst
         Common Stock to holders of Chilton County Common Stock and the proxy
         statement used by each of Chilton County and SouthFirst to solicit the
         approval of their shareholders of the transactions contemplated by
         this Agreement.

                 "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean the Registration Statement
         on Form S-4, or other appropriate form, including any pre-effective or
         post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, filed with the SEC
         by SouthFirst under the 1933 Act with respect to the shares of
         SouthFirst Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of Chilton
         County in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement.

                 "REGULATORY AUTHORITIES" shall mean, collectively, the Federal
         Trade Commission, the United States Department of Justice, the Board
         of the Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the
         Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance
         Corporation, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the SEC, the American
         Stock Exchange and all state regulatory agencies having jurisdiction
         over the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries.

                 "RIGHT(S)" shall mean all calls, commitments, options, rights
         to subscribe to, scrip, understandings, warrants, or other binding
         obligations of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or
         rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of the capital
         stock of a Person or by which a Person is or any contracts,
         commitments, or other arrangements may be bound to issue additional
         shares of its capital stock, or options, warrants, rights to purchase
         or acquire any additional shares of the capital stock.

                 "SEC DOCUMENTS" shall mean all forms, proxy statements,
         registration statements, reports, schedules, and other documents
         filed, or required to be filed, by a Party or any of its Subsidiaries
         with any Regulatory Authority pursuant to the Securities Laws.

                 "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                     39
<PAGE>   45


                 "SECURITIES LAWS" shall mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the
         Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Trust Indenture Act of
         1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of any Regulatory
         Authority promulgated thereunder.

                 "SOUTHFIRST" shall have the meaning set forth in the first 
         paragraph hereof.

                 "SOUTHFIRST CAPITAL STOCK" shall mean, collectively, the
         SouthFirst Common Stock, the SouthFirst preferred stock, and any other
         class or series of capital stock of SouthFirst.

                 "SOUTHFIRST COMMON STOCK" shall mean the $.01 par value 
         common stock of SouthFirst.

                 "SOUTHFIRST COMPANIES" shall mean, collectively, SouthFirst
         and all SouthFirst Subsidiaries.

                 "SOUTHFIRST DISCLOSURE MEMORANDUM" shall mean the written
         information entitled "SouthFirst Corporation Disclosure Memorandum"
         delivered prior to the date of this Agreement to First Federal
         describing in reasonable detail the matters contained therein and,
         with respect to each disclosure made therein, specifically referencing
         each Section of this Agreement under which such disclosure is being
         made.

                 "SOUTHFIRST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" shall mean (i) the
         consolidated statements of condition (including related notes and
         schedules, if any) of SouthFirst as of December 31, 1996 and as of
         September 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, and the related statements of
         income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including
         related notes and schedules, if any) for the 6 months ended December
         31, 1996, and for each of the three years ended September 31, 1995,
         1994, and as filed by SouthFirst in SEC Documents, and (ii) the
         consolidated statements of condition of SouthFirst (including related
         notes and schedules, if any) and related statements of income, changes
         in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including related notes and
         schedules, if any) included in SEC Documents filed with respect to
         periods ended subsequent to December 31, 1996.

                 "SOUTHFIRST SEC REPORTS" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 6.5(a) hereof.

                 "SOUTHFIRST SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING" shall mean the meeting of
         the shareholders of SouthFirst to be held pursuant to Section 8.1 of
         this Agreement, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

                 "SOUTHFIRST STOCK PLANS" shall mean existing stock option and
         other stock-based compensation plans and warrant instruments of
         SouthFirst set forth in Section 6.3(a) of the SouthFirst Disclosure
         Memorandum.

                 "SOUTHFIRST SUBSIDIARIES" shall mean the Subsidiaries of
         SouthFirst, which shall include any corporation, bank, savings
         association, or other organization acquired as a Subsidiary of
         SouthFirst in the future and owned by SouthFirst at the Effective
         Time.

                 "SUBSIDIARIES" shall mean all those corporations, banks,
         associations, or other entities of which the entity in question owns
         or controls 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities either
         directly or through an unbroken chain of entities as to each of which
         50% or more of the outstanding equity securities is owned directly or
         indirectly by its parent; provided, there shall not be included any
         such entity acquired through foreclosure or any such entity the equity
         securities of which are owned or controlled in a fiduciary capacity.



                                     40
<PAGE>   46


                 "SURVIVING BANK" shall mean First Federal as the surviving
         savings association resulting from the Merger.

                 "TAX OPINION" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 
         9.1(f) hereof.

                 "TAX RETURN" shall mean any report, return, information
         return, or other information required to be supplied to a taxing
         authority in connection with Taxes, including any return of an
         affiliated or combined or unitary group that includes a Party or
         Subsidiaries of SouthFirst.

                 "TAX(ES)"  shall mean all federal, state, local, and foreign
         taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts, duties, or other assessments,
         including income, gross receipts, excise, employment, sales, use,
         transfer, license, payroll, franchise, severance, stamp, occupation,
         windfall profits, environmental, federal highway use, commercial rent,
         customs duties, capital stock, paid-up capital, profits, withholding,
         Social Security, single business and unemployment, disability, real
         property, personal property, registration, ad valorem, value added,
         alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax or governmental
         fee of any kind whatsoever, imposed or required to be withheld by the
         United States or any state, local, foreign government or subdivision
         or agency thereof, including any interest, penalties or additions
         thereto.

                 "TAXABLE PERIOD" shall mean any period prescribed by any
         governmental authority, including the United States or any state,
         local, foreign government or subdivision or agency thereof for which a
         Tax Return is required to be filed or Tax is required to be paid.

                 "TERMINATION FEE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         11.2(b) hereof.

                 "THRESHOLD CASH AMOUNT" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 3.1(e) hereof.

                 "THRESHOLD STOCK AMOUNT" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 3.1(e) hereof.

                 "TOTAL MERGER CONSIDERATION" shall equal the sum of (1)(a) the
         Cash Price Per Share divided by the sum of the Cash Price Per Share
         and the Stock Price Per Share, (b) multiplied by the product of the
         Chilton County Options multiplied by 2/3 (the "Fully Diluted Share
         Equivalents"), (c) multiplied by the Stock Price Per Share and
         (2)(a)the Stock Price Per Share divided by the sum of the Cash Price
         Per Share and the Stock Price Per Share, (b) multiplied by the Fully
         Diluted Share Equivalents, (c) multiplied by the Cash Price Per Share.



<TABLE>
 <S>               <C>                  <C>               <C>        <C>               <C>             <C>
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                            
 Total              Cash Price            Fully-                      Stock Price        Fully-            
                    ----------            Diluted         Stock       -----------       Diluted        Cash  
 Merger     =     Cash  +  Stock   X      Share      X    Price   +  Cash + Stock   X    Share     X   Price 
 Consideration    Price    Price        Equivalents                  Price  Price      Equivalents
                                                            
</TABLE>





         (b)     Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include
the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words "include,"
"includes," or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed
followed by the words "without limitation."



                                      41
<PAGE>   47


         11.2    FEES AND EXPENSES.

         (a)     Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11.2, each of
SouthFirst and Chilton County shall bear and pay all direct costs and expenses
incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereunder, including filing, registration, and application fees,
printing fees, and fees and expenses of its own financial or other consultants,
investment bankers, accountants, and counsel, except that each of SouthFirst
and Chilton County shall bear and pay one-half ( 1/2) of the printing costs
incurred in connection with the printing of the Prospectus/Joint Proxy
Statement.

         (b)     Chilton County acknowledges that SouthFirst has spent, and
will be required to spend, substantial time and effort in examining the
business, properties, affairs, financial condition and prospects of Chilton
County, has incurred, and will continue to incur, substantial fees and expenses
in connection with such examination, the preparation of this Agreement and the
accomplishment of the transactions contemplated hereunder, and will be unable
to evaluate and, possibly, make investments in or acquire other entities due to
the limited number of personnel available for such purpose and the constraints
of time.  Therefore, to induce SouthFirst to enter this Agreement,

                 (i)              If SouthFirst terminates this Agreement
                                  pursuant to:

                          (a)     Section 10.1(c)(i) or (c)(ii) by reason of
                                  the failure to meet any condition contained
                                  in Section 9.2(a), which was not previously
                                  waived by SouthFirst or (b) due to Chilton
                                  County's knowing and intentional
                                  misrepresentation or knowing and intentional
                                  breach of warranty or breach of any covenant
                                  or agreement and at the time of such knowing
                                  and intentional misrepresentation or breach,
                                  Chilton County, had or had previously had
                                  between the date hereof and such time,
                                  directly or indirectly, through any officer,
                                  director, employee, agent, investment banker,
                                  financial consultant, attorney, accountant or
                                  other representative of Chilton County,
                                  verbal or written contact, dialogue or
                                  discussions with any third party regarding a
                                  Competing Transaction;

                          (b)     Section 10.1(c)(iv);

                          (c)     Section 10.1(c)(iii) and within nine months
                                  from the Termination Date a superior proposal
                                  (as defined in Section 8.13(b)) or a
                                  Competing Transaction is consummated or
                                  Chilton County shall have entered into an
                                  agreement which if consummated would
                                  constitute a Competing Transaction; or

                 (ii)     If Chilton County terminates this Agreement pursuant
                          to Section 10.1(d) because this Agreement did not
                          receive the requisite vote of the holders of Chilton
                          County Common Stock and within nine months from the
                          Termination Date a superior proposal (as defined in
                          Section 8.13(b)) or a Competing Transaction is
                          consummated or Chilton County shall have entered into
                          an agreement which if consummated would constitute a
                          Competing Transaction;

                 then Chilton County shall pay to SouthFirst a fee in the
                 amount of $270,000 in addition to all reasonable out-of-pocket
                 expenses and fees (including, without limitation, fees and
                 expenses payable to all investment banking firms and their
                 respective agents and counsel, and all fees of counsel,
                 accountants, experts and consultants to SouthFirst) actually
                 incurred by SouthFirst or on its behalf in connection with the
                 Merger and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement
                 (the "Termination Fee").  Upon payment



                                      42
<PAGE>   48

                 of the Termination Fee, which shall be considered full and
                 complete liquidated damages, Chilton County shall have no
                 further liability to SouthFirst at law or equity.  The
                 Termination Fee shall be payable to SouthFirst notwithstanding
                 that any action taken by the Board of Directors of Chilton
                 County which may give rise to the obligation to pay the
                 Termination Fee may have been taken in accordance with the
                 fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors.  Any payment
                 required pursuant to this Section 11.2 shall be made as
                 promptly as practicable, but in no event later than two
                 Business Days after the date due and shall be made by wire
                 transfer of immediately available funds to an account
                 designated by SouthFirst.  In the event that SouthFirst is
                 entitled to the Termination Fee, Chilton County shall also pay
                 to SouthFirst interest at a simple interest rate per annum
                 equal to the highest "prime rate" of interest published from
                 time to time in the "Money Rates" section of the Wall Street
                 Journal on any amounts that are not paid when due, plus all
                 costs and expenses in connection with or arising out of the
                 enforcement of the obligation of Chilton County to pay the
                 Termination Fee or such interest.

                 (iii)    In the event that SouthFirst terminates this
                          Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(c) by reason of
                          the failure to meet the conditions contained in
                          Section 9.1(a) or Sections 9.2(a), which were not
                          previously waived by SouthFirst or (b) due to Chilton
                          County's knowing or intentional misrepresentation or
                          knowing and intentional breach of warranty or breach
                          of any covenant or agreement, and Chilton County is
                          not obligated to pay the Termination Fee either at
                          such time or in the future, then Chilton County shall
                          pay (but not as liquidated damages and Chilton County
                          shall not be relieved or released from any other
                          damages or liabilities hereunder) SouthFirst on
                          demand, in same day funds, all reasonable
                          out-of-pocket expenses and fees (including, without
                          limitation, fees and expenses payable to all
                          investment banking firms and their respective agents
                          and counsel, and all fees of counsel, accountants,
                          experts and consultants to SouthFirst) actually
                          incurred by SouthFirst or on its behalf in connection
                          with the Merger and all transactions contemplated by
                          this Agreement but in no event more than $300,000;

                 (iv)     In the event that Chilton County terminates this
                          Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(d) by reason of
                          the failure to meet any condition contained in
                          Section 9.1(a) or Sections 9.3(a), which were not
                          previously waived by Chilton County or (b) due to
                          SouthFirst's knowing and intentional
                          misrepresentation or knowing and intentional breach
                          of warranty or breach of any covenant or agreement,
                          then SouthFirst shall pay (but not as liquidated
                          damages and SouthFirst shall not be relieved or
                          released from any other damages or liabilities
                          hereunder) Chilton County on demand, in same day
                          funds, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and fees
                          (including, without limitation, fees and expenses
                          payable to all investment banking firms and their
                          respective agents and counsel, and all fees of
                          counsel, accountants, experts and consultants of
                          Chilton County) actually incurred by Chilton County
                          or on its behalf in connection with the Merger and
                          all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, but
                          in no event more than $300,000;

         11.3    BROKERS AND FINDERS.  Except for Professional Bank Services,
Inc. as to Chilton County and except for Trident Financial Corporation as to
SouthFirst, each of the Parties represents and warrants that neither it nor any
of its officers, directors, employees, or Affiliates has employed any broker or
finder in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby. In the event of a claim



                                      43
<PAGE>   49

by any broker or finder based upon his or its representing or being retained by
or allegedly representing or being retained by Chilton County or SouthFirst,
each of Chilton County and SouthFirst, as the case may be, agrees to indemnify
and hold the other Party harmless of and from any Liability in respect of any
such claim.

         11.4    ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties
with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all
prior arrangements or understandings with respect thereto, written or oral.
Nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any
Person, other than the Parties or their respective successors, any rights,
remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

         11.5    AMENDMENTS.  To the extent permitted by Law, this Agreement
may be amended by a subsequent writing signed by each of the Parties upon the
approval of the Boards of Directors of each of the Parties, whether before or
after shareholder approval of this Agreement has been obtained; provided, that
after any such approval by the holders of shares of Chilton County Common
Stock, there shall be made no amendment that reduces or modifies in any
Material respect the consideration to be received by holders of shares of
Chilton County Common Stock without the further approval of such shareholders.

         11.6    OBLIGATIONS OF SOUTHFIRST.  Whenever this Agreement requires
SouthFirst (including the Surviving Bank) to take any action, such requirement
shall be deemed to include an undertaking by SouthFirst to cause the SouthFirst
Subsidiaries to take such action.

         11.7    WAIVERS.

         (a)     Prior to or at the Effective Time, SouthFirst, acting through
its Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president or other authorized
officer, shall have the right to waive any default in the performance of any
term of this Agreement by Chilton County, to waive or extend the time for the
compliance or fulfillment by Chilton County of any and all of its obligations
under this Agreement, and to waive any or all of the conditions precedent to
the obligations of SouthFirst under this Agreement, except any condition which,
if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No such waiver
shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of
SouthFirst.

         (b)     Prior to or at the Effective Time, Chilton County, acting
through its Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president or other
authorized officer, shall have the right to waive any default in the
performance of any term of this Agreement by SouthFirst, to waive or extend the
time for the compliance or fulfillment by SouthFirst of any and all of its
obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all of the conditions
precedent to the obligations of Chilton County under this Agreement, except any
condition which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No
such waiver shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized
officer of Chilton County.

         (c)     The failure of any Party at any time or times to require
performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right of such
Party at a later time to enforce the same or any other provision of this
Agreement.  No waiver of any condition or of the breach of any term contained
in this Agreement in one or more instances shall be deemed to be or construed
as a further or continuing waiver of such condition or breach or a waiver of
any other condition or of the breach of any other term of this Agreement.



                                      44
<PAGE>   50


         11.8    ASSIGNMENT.  Except as expressly contemplated hereby, neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests, or obligations hereunder shall
be assigned by any Party hereto (whether by operation of Law or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the other Party. Subject to the preceding
sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

         11.9    NOTICES.  All notices or other communications which are
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered
by hand, by facsimile transmission, by registered or certified mail, postage
pre- paid, or by courier or overnight carrier, to the persons at the addresses
set forth below (or at such other address as may be provided hereunder), and
shall be deemed to have been delivered as of the date so delivered:

                 Chilton County:      102 5th Street North
                                      Clanton, Alabama  35046
                                      Telecopy Number: 205-755-3960
                                      Attention:  Bobby R. Cook
                                                   President and Chief 
                                                   Executive Officer
                 
                 Copy to Counsel      Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, Norris & 
                                      Rieselbach, P.C.  
                                      601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.  
                                      North Building - Suite 750 
                                      Washington, D.C. 20004-2612 
                                      Telecopy Number: 202-393-0796 
                                      Attention: Edward B. Crosland, Jr.
                 
                                      Capell, Howard, Knabe & Cobbs, P.A.
                                      57 Adams Avenue
                                      Montgomery, Alabama 36102
                                      Telecopy Number: 334-265-7454
                                      Attention:  James H. McLemore





                 SouthFirst           126 North Norton Avenue
                 and First Federal:   Sylacauga, Alabama 35150
                                      Telecopy Number: 205-245-6341

                                      Attention:  Donald C. Stroup
                                                  President and Chief Executive
                                                  Officer
                                      Copy to:    Joe K. McArthur, Vice 
                                                  President and Chief 
                                                  Financial Officer
                 
                 Copy to Counsel:     Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
                                      3343 Peachtree Road, NE
                                      Suite 1800
                                      Atlanta, Georgia 30326
                                      Telecopy Number: 404-264-2652
                                      Attention:  W. Thomas King



                                      45
<PAGE>   51


         11.10   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         11.11   CAPTIONS.  The captions contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement.

         11.12   ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENT.  The Parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United
States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other
remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

         11.13   SURVIVAL.   The respective representations, warranties,
obligations, covenants and agreements of the Parties shall not survive the
Effective Time or the termination and abandonment of this Agreement, except
that (i) Articles Two, Three and Eleven and Sections 8.5(b), 8.11, 8.12 and
9.1(f) of this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time; and (ii) Sections
8.5(b), 8.13, 10.1, 11.2, 11.13 and 11.14 shall survive the termination and
abandonment of this Agreement; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not
relieve any Party for liability for fraud, deception or intentional
misrepresentation.

         11.14   SEVERABILITY.  Any term or provision of this Agreement which
is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of
this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be
interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

         11.15   GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement and the legal relations between
the Parties shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
Alabama without taking into account a provision regarding choice of law, except
to the extent certain matters may be governed by federal law by reason of
preemption.

         11.16   LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT.  Upon consummation of the Merger, the
liquidation account for the benefit of certain savings account holders of
Chilton County shall be assumed and maintained by the Surviving Bank pursuant
to applicable rules and regulations of the OTS, and such account holders shall
have no further right, title or interest in the Chilton County liquidation
account.



                                      46
<PAGE>   52


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to
be executed on its behalf and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and
attested by officers thereunto as of the day and year first above written.

                                        SOUTHFIRST BANCSHARES, INC.


                                        By: /s/ Paul A. Brown
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Paul A. Brown
                                            Title: Chairman


                                        By: /s/ Donald C. Stroup
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Donald C. Stroup
                                            Title:  President and Chief 
                                                    Executive Officer


                                        FIRST FEDERAL OF THE SOUTH


                                        By: /s/ Paul A. Brown
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Paul A. Brown
                                            Title: Chairman


                                        By: /s/ Donald C. Stroup
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Donald C. Stroup
                                            Title:  President and Chief 
                                                    Executive Officer


                                        FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN
                                        ASSOCIATION OF CHILTON COUNTY


                                        By: /s/ L. Neal Bice
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: L. Neal Bice
                                            Title: Chairman


                                        By: /s/ Bobby R. Cook
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Bobby R. Cook
                                            Title:  President and Chief 
                                            Executive Officer