Charleston, South Carolina (April 28, 2006) First Financial Holdings, Inc. (“Company”) (Nasdaq: FFCH) today announced that effective April 27, 2006, Susan E. Baham was named Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston (“First Federal”). In addition to her current responsibilities as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company and First Federal, Ms. Baham’s responsibilities will include but not be limited to supervising various support functions  of the Company such as:  Risk Management; Compliance; Investor Relations; Treasury Operations; Banking Operations; Information Technology; Marketing; Office and Building Services and Human Resources.  In addition she will oversee management development and provide for capable management succession and review, develop and implement operating policies and procedures.

Ms. Baham also announced that she plans to retire from the Company and First Federal in late 2007.  The Company will immediately begin searching for a new CFO.  Ms. Baham will continue to serve in that role during the interim period until her successor is hired.  Additionally, she will be instrumental in assisting the new CFO to transition to his or her new position. 

"I'm delighted to announce Susan's appointment to Chief Operating Officer," said A. Thomas Hood, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company "Susan's leadership and contributions as our Chief Financial Officer have been exceptional, and her assumption of the COO role is a natural consequence of the outstanding, and operational leadership that she has also provided since joining First Federal and the Company. Susan has gained the respect and confidence of our entire leadership team, and has been a major contributor to our continuing growth and success. I look forward to her contributions as COO in realizing the growth opportunities ahead of us. We will also benefit from her continued financial counsel during both the interim period while we search for her successor and beyond."

responsible for the Company’s treasury, finance, accounting, corporate reporting, investor relations and strategic planning functions.  A native of Mississippi, Ms. Baham graduated from Mississippi University for Women.  She is a member of the Financial Managers Society and currently serves on the Junior Achievement of Coastal Carolina Board of Directors.

First Financial is the holding company of First Federal, which operates 51 offices located in the Charleston metropolitan area, Horry, Georgetown, Florence and Beaufort counties in South Carolina and Brunswick County in coastal North Carolina.  The Company also provides insurance, brokerage and trust services through First Southeast Insurance Services, The Kimbrell Insurance Group, First Southeast Investor Services and First Southeast Fiduciary and Trust Services.

Forward Looking Statements 

            Certain matters in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements relate to, among others, expectations of the business environment in which the Company operates, projections of future performance, including operating efficiencies, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, and statements regarding the Company’s mission and vision.  These forward-looking statements are based upon current management expectations, and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties.  Management’s ability to predict results or the effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain.  The Company’s actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed or implied by forward-looking statements due to a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, the general business environment, general economic conditions nationally and in the State of South Carolina, interest rates, the South Carolina real estate market, the demand for mortgage loans, competitive conditions between banks and non-bank financial services providers, regulatory changes and other risks detailed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005.  Accordingly, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.