Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE

COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

Form 8-K

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 24, 2008

First Financial Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Delaware	0-17122	57-0866076
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation	Commission File Number	I.R.S. Employer I.D. number

34 Broad Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number (including area code): (843) 529-5933

Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4c under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 8 - Other Events

Item 8.01 Other Events

On October 24, 2008 First Financial Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). When declared effective by the SEC, the shelf registration statement will allow the Company to raise capital from time to time, up to an aggregate of $135 million, through the sale of common and preferred stock, debt securities, trust preferred securities and other securities. For more information regarding this matter, see the press release and additional financial information attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Section 9 -- Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit (99.1). Press release dated October 24, 2008 with additional financial information.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		FIRST FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC


		/s/ R. Wayne Hall
		R. Wayne Hall
		Executive Vice President
		and Chief Financial Officer

Date: October 24, 2008

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number		Description

99.1		First Financial Holdings, Inc. announces shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC.