For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2004

U. S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-QSB

 


 

x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED: June 30, 2004

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 33-94288

 


 

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(EXACT NAME OF SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

 


 

MISSISSIPPI   64-0862173
(STATE OF INCORPORATION)  

(I.R.S. EMPLOYER

IDENTIFICATION NO.)

6480 U.S. HIGHWAY 98 WEST

HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI

  39404-5549

(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL

EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

  (ZIP CODE)

 

(601) 268-8998

(ISSUER’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

 

NONE

(FORMER NAME, ADDRESS AND FISCAL YEAR, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT)

 


 

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE ISSUER: (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS.    YES  x    NO  ¨

 

ON JUNE 30, 2004, 1,165,165 SHARES OF THE ISSUER’S COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE, WERE OUTSTANDING.

 

TRANSITIONAL SMALL BUSINESS DISCLOSURE FORMAT (CHECK ONE):    YES  ¨    NO  x

 



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

($ amounts in thousands)

 

   (Unaudited)
June 30,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 

ASSETS

                

Cash and due from banks

   $ 4,555     $ 5,046  

Interest-bearing deposits with banks

     625       702  

Federal funds sold

     1,489       117  
    


 


Total cash and cash equivalents

     6,669       5,865  

Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost

     15       15  

Securities available-for-sale, at fair value

     21,609       31,281  

Loans held for sale

     3,193       1,562  

Loans

     137,590       113,680  

Allowance for loan losses

     (1,356 )     (1,166 )
    


 


LOANS, NET

     136,234       112,514  

Premises and equipment

     8,706       8,365  

Accrued income receivable

     956       822  

Cash surrender value

     3,249       3,170  

Other assets

     1,005       1,347  
    


 


     $ 181,636     $ 164,941  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Liabilities:

                

Deposits:

                

Noninterest-bearing

   $ 24,635     $ 19,995  

Time, $100,000 or more

     27,187       27,558  

Interest-bearing

     78,435       74,145  
    


 


TOTAL DEPOSITS

     130,257       121,698  

Interest payable

     160       168  

Borrowed funds

     27,646       19,986  

Subordinated debentures

     7,217       7,217  

Other liabilities

     328       221  
    


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES

     165,608       149,290  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Common stock, $1 par value. Authorized 10,000,000 shares; 1,191,659 issued at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003.

     1,192       1,192  

Preferred stock, par value $1 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     12,949       12,949  

Retained earnings

     2,405       1,951  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (54 )     23  

Treasury stock, at cost, 26,494 shares at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

     (464 )     (464 )
    


 


TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     16,028       15,651  
    


 


     $ 181,636     $ 164,941  
    


 



THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

 

    

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
June 30,


  

(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended
June 30,


($ amounts in thousands except earnings per share)    2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

INTEREST INCOME:

                           

Loans, including fees

   $ 2,427    $ 2,517    $ 4,678    $ 4,949

Securities:

                           

Taxable

     140      133      318      292

Tax exempt

     35      24      61      49

Federal funds sold

     6      10      10      22

Other

     3      20      28      41
    

  

  

  

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME

     2,611      2,704      5,095      5,353

INTEREST EXPENSE:

                           

Deposits

     459      601      927      1,198

Other borrowings

     277      219      535      443
    

  

  

  

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE

     736      820      1,462      1,641
    

  

  

  

NET INTEREST INCOME

     1,875      1,884      3,633      3,712

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     154      125      288      211
    

  

  

  

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     1,721      1,759      3,345      3,501

NONINTEREST INCOME:

                           

Service charges on deposit accounts

     377      345      725      673

Other service charges, commissions and fees

     110      103      183      203

Gain on sale of properties

     —        —        152      —  
    

  

  

  

TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME

     487      448      1,060      876
    

  

  

  

NONINTEREST EXPENSES:

                           

Salaries and employee benefits

     979      992      1,930      1,975

Occupancy and equipment expense

     282      306      568      593

Other operating expenses

     481      540      953      967
    

  

  

  

TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES

     1,742      1,838      3,451      3,535
    

  

  

  

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     466      369      954      842

INCOME TAXES

     164      124      325      282
    

  

  

  

NET INCOME

   $ 302    $ 245    $ 629    $ 560
    

  

  

  

EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC

   $ .26    $ .21    $ .54    $ .48

EARNINGS PER SHARE - ASSUMING DILUTION

     .25    $ .20    $ .53    $ .46

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE

   $ —      $ —      $ .15    $ .10


THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

    

(Unaudited)

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
($ Amounts in Thousands)    2004

    2003

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

NET INCOME

   $ 629     $ 560  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     278       339  

Provision for loan losses

     288       211  

Changes in:

                

Interest receivable

     (134 )     61  

Loans held-for-sale

     (1,631 )     (1,476 )

Interest payable

     (8 )     (42 )

Other, net

     501       (211 )
    


 


NET CASH USED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     (77 )     (558 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Maturities and calls of securities available for sale

     11,981       11,765  

Maturities and calls of securities held-to - maturity

     —         10  

Purchases of securities available-for-sale

     (2,437 )     (9,817 )

Net increase in loans

     (24,009 )     (4,317 )

Purchases of premises and equipment

     (619 )     (691 )

Increase in cash surrender value

     (79 )     (80 )
    


 


NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (15,163 )     (3,130 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Increase in deposits

     8,559       7,672  

Net increase (decrease) in borrowed funds

     7,660       (3,663 )

Issuance of common stock

     —         413  

Dividends paid on common stock

     (175 )     (117 )
    


 


NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     16,044       4,305  
    


 


NET INCREASE IN CASH

     804       617  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     5,865       12,101  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 6,669     $ 12,718  
    


 


CASH PAYMENTS FOR INTEREST

   $ 1,470     $ 1,683  

CASH PAYMENTS FOR INCOME TAXES

     240       248  


THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE A — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-QSB and Item 310(b) of Regulation S-B of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2004, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2004. For further information, please refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

NOTE B — SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATION

 

The First Bancshares, Inc., Hattiesburg, Mississippi (the “Company”), was incorporated June 23, 1995, under the laws of the State of Mississippi for the purpose of operating as a bank holding company with respect to a then proposed de novo bank, The First National Bank of South Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi (the “Hattiesburg Bank”). The Hattiesburg Bank opened for business on August 5, 1996, with a total capitalization of $5.2 million.

 

On August 10, 1998, the Company filed a registration statement on Form SB-2 relating to the issuance of up to 533,333 shares of Common Stock in connection with the formation of the First National Bank of the Pine Belt (Laurel Bank). The offering was closed on December 31, 1998, with 428,843 shares subscribed with an aggregate purchase price of $6.4 million. On January 19, 1999, the Laurel Bank received approval from its banking regulator to begin banking operations, and the Company used $5 million of the net proceeds to purchase 100% of the capital stock of the Laurel Bank. Simultaneously, the 428,843 shares subscribed to in the offering were issued.

 

In January, 2004, the two banks were combined to become The First, a National Banking Association (“The First”). The banks were combined to take advantage of operating efficiencies and marketing opportunities. The First engages in general commercial banking business, emphasizing in its marketing the Bank’s local management and ownership. The First offers a full range of banking services designed to meet the basic financial needs of its customers. These services include checking accounts, NOW accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts. The First also offers short- to medium-term commercial, mortgage, and personal loans.

 

At June 30, 2004, the Company had approximately 181.6 million in consolidated assets, $140.8 million in consolidated loans, $130.3 million in consolidated deposits, and $16.0 million in consolidated shareholders’ equity. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company reported a consolidated net income of $629,000.

 

In the first quarter of 2003 and 2004, the Company declared and paid dividends of $.10 and $.15 per common share, respectively.


NOTE C — EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

 

Basic per share data is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted per share data includes any dilution from potential common stock outstanding, such as exercise of stock options.

 

    

For the Three Months Ended

June 30, 2004


     Net Income
(Numerator)


   Shares
(Denominator)


   Per Share
Data


Basic per share

   $ 302,000    1,165,165    $ .26
                

Effect of dilutive shares:

                  

Stock options

     —      31,701       
    

  
      

Diluted per share

   $ 302,000    1,196,866    $ .25
    

  
  

 

    

For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2004


     Net Income
(Numerator)


   Shares
(Denominator)


   Per Share
Data


Basic per share

   $ 629,000    1,165,165    $ .54
                

Effect of dilutive shares:

                  

Stock options

     —      31,701       
    

  
      

Diluted per share

   $ 629,000    1,196,866    $ .53
    

  
  

 

    

For the Three Months Ended

June 30, 2003


     Net Income
(Numerator)


   Shares
(Denominator)


   Per Share
Data


Basic per share

   $ 245,000    1,180,784    $ .21
                

Effect of dilutive shares:

                  

Stock options

     —      38,445       
    

  
      

Diluted per share

   $ 245,000    1,219,229    $ .20
    

  
  

 

    

For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2003


     Net Income
(Numerator)


   Shares
(Denominator)


   Per Share
Data


Basic per share

   $ 560,000    1,172,938    $ .48
                

Effect of dilutive shares:

                  

Stock options

     —      38,445       
    

  
      

Diluted per share

   $ 560,000    1,211,383    $ .46
    

  
  


NOTE D - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company has a stock-based employee compensation plan which is accounted for under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all stock options granted under these plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock- Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation.

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,


 
($ amounts in thousands except for per share data)    2004

    2003

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 302     $ 245  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (2 )     (11 )
    


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 300     $ 234  
    


 


Earnings per share:

                

Basic - as reported

   $ .26     $ .21  

Basic - pro forma

     .26       .20  

Diluted - as reported

     .25       .20  

Diluted - pro forma

     .25       .19  

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 629     $ 560  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (3 )     (40 )
    


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 626     $ 520  
    


 


Earnings per share:

                

Basic - as reported

   $ .54     $ .48  

Basic - pro forma

     .54       .44  

Diluted - as reported

     .53       .46  

Diluted - pro forma

     .52       .43  


NOTE E - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

The following table discloses Comprehensive Income for the periods reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income:

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,


 
(In thousands)    2004

    2003

 

Net Income

   $ 302     $ 245  

Other Comprehensive Income (loss) net of tax:

                

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities during the period, net of taxes

     (191 )     (37 )
    


 


Comprehensive Income

   $ 111     $ 208  
    


 


Accumulated Comprehensive Income (loss)

   $ (54 )   $ 135  
    


 


     Six Months Ended
June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Net Income

   $ 629     $ 560  

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) net of tax:

                

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities during the period, net of taxes

     (77 )     (51 )
    


 


Comprehensive Income

   $ 552     $ 509  
    


 


Accumulated Comprehensive Income (loss)

   $ (54 )   $ 135  
    


 



ITEM NO. 2 MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” relating to, without limitation, future economic performance, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and projections of revenues and other financial items that are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company’s management. The words “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” and “believe,” as well as similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, and the Company’s operating performance each quarter is subject to various risks and uncertainties that are discussed in detail in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration Number 333-61081) as filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The First represents the primary asset of the Company. The First reported total assets of $180.3 million at June 30, 2004, compared to $163.4 million at December 31, 2003. Loans increased $25.5 million, or 22%, during the first six months of 2004. Deposits at June 30, 2004, totaled $135 million compared to $126 million at December 31, 2003. For the six month period ended June 30, 2004, The First reported net income of $639,000 compared to $669,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Net income was impacted by a decline in interest margins and expenses of approximately $35,000 related to the combination of the subsidiary banks.

 

NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND RISK ELEMENTS. Diversification within the loan portfolio is an important means of reducing inherent lending risks. At June 30, 2004, The First had no concentrations of ten percent or more of total loans in any single industry nor any geographical area outside their immediate market areas.

 

At June 30, 2004, The First had loans past due as follows:

 

     ($ In Thousands)

Past due 30 through 89 days

   $ 1,054

Past due 90 days or more and still accruing

     356

 

The accrual of interest is discontinued on loans which become ninety days past due (principal and/or interest), unless the loans are adequately secured and in the process of collection. Nonaccrual loans totaled $167,000 at June 30, 2004. Any other real estate owned is carried at fair value, determined by an appraisal. Other real estate owned totaled $271,000 at June 30, 2004. A loan is classified as a restructured loan when the interest rate is materially reduced or the term is extended beyond the original maturity date because of the inability of the borrower to service the debt under the original terms. The First had no restructured loans at June 30, 2004.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity is considered adequate with cash and cash equivalents of $6.7 million as of June 30, 2004. In addition, loans and investment securities repricing or maturing within one year or less exceeded $49.3 million at June 30, 2004. Approximately $17.7 million in loan commitments are expected to be funded within the next six months and other commitments, primarily standby letters of credit, totaled $55,000 at June 30, 2004.

 

There are no known trends or any known commitments of uncertainties that will result in The First’s liquidity increasing or decreasing in a material way. In addition, The First is not aware of any recommendations by any regulatory authorities which would have a material effect on its liquidity, capital resources or results of operations.

 

Total consolidated equity capital at June 30, 2004, is $16.0 million, or approximately 9% of total assets. The First currently has adequate capital positions to meet the minimum capital requirements for all regulatory agencies. The capital ratios as of June 30, 2004, are as follows:

 

Tier 1 leverage

   9.9 %

Tier 1 risk-based

   12.3 %

Total risk-based

   13.3 %

 

On March 26, 2002, The First Bancshares Statutory Trust 1 (the Trust), a wholly-owned subsidiary trust of the Company, issued $7,000,000 of redeemable cumulative trust preferred securities. The Trust used the funds to acquire floating rate subordinated debentures from the Company. The debentures bear an interest rate of the 3-month LIBOR plus 3.60%. The debentures have a maturity of 30 years but are callable 5 years after issuance. Presently, the trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 capital up to 25% of other components of Tier 1 capital. The Federal Reserve Board has issued a proposed rule that would retain trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital but with stricter quantitative limits and clearer qualitative standards. In accordance with FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” the statutory trust is not included in the consolidated financial statements. Instead the subordinated debentures due to the statutory trust are included in the consolidated liabilities of the Company.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The Company had a consolidated net income of $629,000 for the six months ending June 30, 2004, compared with consolidated net income of $560,000 for the same period last year. Net interest income declined to $3,633,000 from $3,712,000 for the first six months ending June 30, 2004, or a decrease of 2.1% as compared to the same period in 2003. Earning assets through June 30, 2004, increased $22.7 million and interest-bearing liabilities also increased $14.7 million when compared to June 30, 2003, reflecting increases of 15.7% and 11.6%, respectively.

 

Noninterest income for the six months ending June 30, 2004, was $1,060,000 compared to $876,000 for the same period in 2003, reflecting an increase of $184,000 or 21%. Included in noninterest income is service charges on deposit accounts, which for the six months ended June 30, 2004, totaled $725,000, compared to $673,000 for the same period in 2003, and is a reflection of continued growth of the deposit base, as well as improvement in the fee pricing structure. Also, during the first six months of 2004, the Company reported a gain of $152,000 on the sale of land.

 

The provision for loan losses was $288,000 in the first six months of 2004 compared with $211,000 for the same period in 2003. The allowance for loan losses of $1.4 million at June 30, 2004 (approximately 1% of loans) is considered by management to be adequate to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of this allowance is dependent upon a number of factors, including the total amount of past due loans, general economic conditions, and management’s assessment of potential losses. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant change. Ultimately, losses may vary from current estimates and future additions to the allowance may be necessary. Thus, there can be no assurance that charge-offs in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses or that additional increases in the loan loss allowance will not be required. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses quarterly and makes provisions for loan losses based on this evaluation.

 

Noninterest expense decreased by $84,000 or 2.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2004, when compared with the same period in 2003. The decrease is primarily due to a decline in the salaries and benefits due to fewer employees as a result of the merger.


ITEM NO. 3. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation under the direction and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer was performed to determine the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures. The principal executive officer and the principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic SEC reports. There have been no significant changes in the Corporation’s internal controls or in other factors subsequent to the date of the evaluation that could significantly affect these controls.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

None

 

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES

 

None

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULT UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

At the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held May 27, 2004, the following proposals were approved:

 

The following individuals were elected to serve as Class III directors of the Company for terms that expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2007:

 

David W. Bomboy, M.D.    M. Ray (Hoppy) Cole, Jr.
E. Ricky Gibson    Gerald Claiborne Patch
Fred A. McMurry    Peeler G. Lacey, M.D.

 

The following individual was elected to serve as Class II director of the Company for a term that expires at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2006:

 

William M. Renovich, Jr.

 

Set forth below is the number of votes cast for, against, or withheld, with respect to each nominee for office:

 

     For

   Against

   Withheld

David W. Bomboy, M.D.

   672,782         500

E. Ricky Gibson

   669,682         3,600

Fred A. McMurry

   669,682         3,600

M. Ray (Hoppy) Cole, Jr.

   669,227         4,055

Gerald Claiborne Patch

   672,627         655

Peeler G. Lacey, M.D.

   672,782         500

William M. Renovich, Jr.

   669,227         4,055

 

The terms of the Class II directors expire at the 2006 Annual Shareholders Meeting, the terms of the Class I directors will expire at the 2005 Annual Shareholders Meeting, and the terms of the Class III directors will expire at the 2007 Annual Shareholders Meeting. The directors and their classes are:

 

Class I


   Class II

   Class III

Perry E. Parker

   Trent A. Mulloy    David W. Bomboy, M.D.

Ted E. Parker

   David E. Johnson    E. Ricky Gibson

Dennis L. Pierce

   Andrew D. Stetelman    Fred A. McMurry

J. Douglas Seidenburg

   Ralph T. Simmons    M. Ray (Hoppy) Cole

A. L. Smith

   Charles R. Lightsey    Gerald Claiborne Patch

Gregory H. Mitchell

   William M. Renovich, Jr.    Peeler G. Lacey, M.D.


ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

   
31.1   Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2   Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1   Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2   Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(b) The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended June 30, 2004.


SIGNATURES

 

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

 

   

THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

                    (Registrant)

August 10, 2004


 

/S/ DAVID E. JOHNSON


(Date)

 

David E. Johnson,

President and Chief Executive Officer

August 10, 2004


 

/S/ DAVID O. THOMS, JR.


(Date)

  David O. Thoms, Jr.,
   

Senior Vice President and

Principal Accounting and Financial Officer