FIRST COMMERCIAL CORP
S-3/A, 1996-01-31
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>
    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 1996

                                                 Registration No. 33-65017     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                           --------------------------
                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO    

                                    FORM S-3         

            REGISTRATION STATEMENT under THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                           --------------------------

                          FIRST COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                 ARKANSAS                                71-0540166
     (State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
      incorporation or organization)                Identification Number)



             400 WEST CAPITOL AVENUE, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS   72201
                                  (501)371-7000
     (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                  of registrant's principal executive offices)

                      Barnett Grace, Chairman of the Board
                          First Commercial Corporation
                            400 West Capitol Avenue
                          Little Rock, Arkansas  72201
                                 (501) 371-7000
      (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
                        area code, of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:

           Terry L. Mathews                        Richard N. Massey 
      Wright, Lindsey & Jennings                     Rose Law Firm
   200 West Capitol Avenue, St. 2200             120 East Fourth Street
      Little Rock, Arkansas 72201           Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-2893   

                            John Clayton Randolph
                           Friday, Eldredge & Clark
                      400 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 2000
                       Little Rock, Arkansas  72201-3493

                           --------------------------
<PAGE>
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the 
public:

From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as 
determined by market conditions.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant 
to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. 
                                                                [   ]

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a 
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 
1933, as amended, other than securities offered only in connection with 
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.
                                                                [ X ]

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering 
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following 
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier 
effective registration statement for the same offering.
                                                                [   ]

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under 
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act 
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement 
for the same offering.
                                                                [   ]

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, 
please check the following box.
                                                                [   ]
                           --------------------------
       

























<PAGE>
    INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT.  A 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.  THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY 
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES 
EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE 
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES 
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR 
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

                                                          Subject to Completion
                                                           January 30, 1996    

                                2,038,312 SHARES

                          FIRST COMMERCIAL CORPORATION

                                  COMMON STOCK

                           --------------------------

The 2,038,312 shares of Common Stock being offered hereby (the "Shares") are 
being sold by the Selling Shareholders.  See "Selling Shareholders."  The 
Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares.  The 
Shares will be offered by the Selling Shareholders directly in negotiated 
transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, 
at prices relating to such prevailing market prices or at prices otherwise 
negotiated.  The accompanying prospectus supplement sets forth the offering 
price and any other terms in connection with the offering and sale of the 
Shares.

   Prices for the Common Stock of the Company are quoted on the Nasdaq National 
Market under the symbol "FCLR."  On January 29, 1996, the last reported sale 
price of the Common Stock quoted on the Nasdaq National Market was $31.250.  
See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends."    

                           --------------------------

THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT SAVINGS OR DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS AND ARE NOT 
INSURED BY THE SAVINGS ASSOCIATION INSURANCE FUND OR THE BANK INSURANCE FUND OF 
THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.

                           --------------------------

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES 
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE 
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS 
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                  The date of this Prospectus is            , 1996.    




<PAGE>
                              [Inside Cover Page]

    No person has been authorized in connection with the offering made hereby 
to give any information or to make any representation not contained in this 
Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representation must not 
be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company or the Selling 
Shareholders.  This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a 
solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby to any 
person or by anyone in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such 
offer or solicitation.  Neither the delivery of this Prospectus at any time nor 
any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication 
that the information herein is correct as of date subsequent to the date 
hereof.

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    First Commercial Corporation (the "Company") is subject to the 
informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended 
(the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports and other 
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  
Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company may be 
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the 
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20549, and 
at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: Chicago Regional Office, 
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois  60661-
2511, and New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, 
New York  10048.  Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public 
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20549 at prescribed rates.

    The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form 
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the 
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  This 
Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration 
Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and 
regulations of the Commission.  For further information, reference is hereby 
made to the Registration Statement.

                           --------------------------

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    The following documents, or the indicated portions thereof, filed with the 
Commission by the Company (File No. 0-9676), are incorporated in this 
Prospectus by reference:

    (a)  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
         1994, as amended;










<PAGE>
                         [Inside Cover Page Continued]

    (b)  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March
         31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and September 30, 1995;

    (c)  Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated January 13, 1995, February 16,
         1995, May 30, 1995, June 30, 1995 and November 30, 1995 (as amended by
         Form 8-K/A filed January 30, 1996);    

    (d)  Reports on Form 10-C filed December 1, 1995 and January 9, 1996;    

    (e)  Registration Statement on Form 8-A for the preferred share purchase
         rights as filed on January 9, 1991.

    All other documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and 
prior to the termination of the offering of the Shares hereby shall be deemed 
to be incorporated by reference and to be a part of this Prospectus from the 
date of the filing of such documents.  Any statement contained herein or in a 
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be 
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the 
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed 
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein 
modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any statement so modified or superseded 
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part 
of this Prospectus.

    The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of 
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the request of any such person, a copy of 
any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference, other than the 
exhibits to such information (unless such exhibits are specifically 
incorporated by reference in such documents).  Requests should be directed to 
Mr. J. Lynn Wright, Chief Financial Officer, First Commercial Corporation, Post 
Office Box 1471, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203, telephone (501) 371-7000.

                           --------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------










<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY

    First Commercial Corporation (the "Company") is the largest multi-bank 
holding company headquartered in Arkansas, with its corporate offices located 
in the capital city of Little Rock.  The Company owns 15 commercial banking 
institutions in the State of Arkansas, seven institutions in the State of 
Texas, one institution in each of the States of Louisiana and Tennessee, and in 
a joint venture with Arvest Bank Group, Inc., of Bentonville, Arkansas, the 
Company owns 50% of an institution in Norman, Oklahoma.  All of the Company's 
bank subsidiaries offer a broad range of traditional commercial and consumer 
banking services to the markets and communities which they serve.  Certain 
subsidiary banks additionally offer trust and fiduciary services and discount 
brokerage services.  Collectively, the Company's bank subsidiaries are 
sometimes referred to in this Prospectus as the "Subsidiary Banks." The Company 
had total consolidated assets of approximately $4.7 billion, total consolidated 
deposits of approximately $4.0 billion, and total consolidated shareholders' 
equity of approximately $383 million as of September 30, 1995.

    The Company's largest subsidiary is First Commercial Bank, N.A.  At 
September 30, 1995, First Commercial Bank had total assets of approximately 
$1.5 billion and total deposits of approximately $1.2 billion.  First 
Commercial Bank is the second largest bank in Arkansas, based upon total assets 
at September 30, 1995, and its offices are located within Pulaski County, the 
most populated county of Arkansas, adjacent Lonoke County and Grant County.

    First Commercial Trust Company, N.A., a subsidiary of the Company, provides 
trust services through offices located in eight of the Arkansas Subsidiary 
Banks.  First Commercial Mortgage Company, a subsidiary of First Commercial 
Bank, N.A., offers first mortgage loans and performs mortgage loan servicing 
operations.  First Commercial Investments, Inc., also a subsidiary of First 
Commercial Bank, N.A., offers a full line of taxable and tax-exempt fixed 
income investments, as well as mutual fund products.

    The Company plans to continue to grow through a combination of quality 
service to customers in existing markets and such acquisitions as may 
complement the Company's organizational structure.  The Company's focus is on 
retail and corporate customers in its primary market areas.  The key operating 
strategy of the Company is to maximize the quality of service in local markets 
by placing authority for local market decisions in the hands of affiliate 
managers, while providing corporate level guidance, control and review to 
ensure local managerial accountability.  On January .., 1996, the Company 
entered into a Plan and Agreement of Merger pursuant to which it will acquire
 .............. ("......").  See "Recent Developments."  The Company's plan is 
to continue to explore potential acquisition targets that the Company deems 
attractive.  Other than the agreement relating to ............, there currently 
are no written or oral agreements relating to potential acquisitions.    

    The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Arkansas.  The 
executive offices of the Company are located at 400 West Capitol Avenue, Little 
Rock, Arkansas 72201.  Its telephone number is (501) 371-7000.








<PAGE>
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

    On November 21, 1995, the Company's Board of Directors approved a 7% stock 
dividend payable on January 2, 1996 to stockholders of record on December 14, 
1995.  The Selling Shareholders described herein have included in this 
Prospectus the dividend shares they received.    

    On November 30, 1995, the Company acquired FDH Bancshares, Inc. ("FDH 
Bancshares"), a multi-bank holding company located in Little Rock, Arkansas, 
from its sole shareholder, Frank D. Hickingbotham, who, during the years 1985-
90, served as a director of the Company.  FDH Bancshares had four subsidiary 
banks located in southern and central Arkansas, one of which was merged into 
First Commercial Bank, N.A. subsequent to the acquisition.  FDH Bancshares also 
had a subsidiary bank located in north central Louisiana.  The Company issued 
1,260,949 shares of its common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding 
shares of FDH Bancshares.  The transaction was accounted for as a purchase.    

    On November 30, 1995, the Company acquired West-Ark Bancshares, Inc. 
("West-Ark"), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Arkansas State Bank, 
Clarksville, Arkansas.  The Company issued 644,024 shares of its common stock 
and an immaterial amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares in exchange for 
all of the outstanding shares of West-Ark.  The transaction was accounted for 
as a pooling of interests.  

    On December 13, 1995, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K (which 
was amended by a Form 8-K/A filed January 30, 1996) containing certain pro 
forma financial information relating to the acquisitions of FDH Bancshares and 
West-Ark.    

    On January .., 1996, the Company entered into a Plan and Agreement of 
Merger pursuant to which it will acquire .............. in exchange for .......
shares of the Company's common stock.  Completion of the transaction is subject 
to [regulatory approval] and approval by the shareholders of ..........., the 
holding company of ..............  The Company anticipates completing the 
transaction on or before September 30, 1996.  .............. is located in 
[description].    


                         USE OF PROCEEDS BY THE COMPANY

    The Company will neither receive any proceeds from the Shares being offered 
by the Selling Shareholders, nor will any such proceeds be available for use by 
it or for its benefit.















<PAGE>
                   PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS

    The Company's common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market and 
reported on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "FCLR."  The following 
table shows for the periods indicated the high and low bid prices of the common 
stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market and the cash dividends declared 
per share of common stock.
                                                                Cash
                                      High         Low        Dividend
                                    --------     --------     --------
  1994
       First Quarter                 $19.58       $17.80       $  .16
       Second Quarter                 20.80        17.36          .16
       Third Quarter                  22.59        20.81          .16
       Fourth Quarter                 21.26        18.93          .19

  1995
       First Quarter                 $22.79       $20.32       $  .19
       Second Quarter                 23.95        22.66          .19
       Third Quarter                  26.40        23.60          .19
       Fourth Quarter                 32.50        25.93          .21

  1996
       First Quarter                 $32.75       $31.25       $
        (through January 29, 1996)    

    The information above has been retroactively adjusted to reflect a three-
for-two stock split in the form of a stock dividend declared in November, 1993 
and a 5% stock dividend declared in November, 1994, and a 7% stock dividend 
declared in November, 1995.

    A recent last reported sale price of the Company's common stock as reported 
on the Nasdaq National Market is set forth on the cover page of this 
Prospectus.

    The Company has paid consecutive quarterly dividends on its Common Stock 
since its formation in July 1983.  Future dividends will depend upon future 
earnings, the financial position and cash requirements of the Company and such 
other factors as the Company's Board of Directors may deem relevant.

    The  Company is restricted under the provisions of certain loan covenants 
in paying dividends (other than stock dividends) or retiring capital stock if 
the amount of such payments would exceed prescribed limits.  Retained earnings 
in excess of earnings so restricted by these covenants and available for 
distribution totaled approximately $209 million at December 31, 1995.    

    The Company's ability to pay dividends will depend primarily upon dividends 
and fees paid to it by its subsidiaries.  Such payments must be consistent with 
the requirements and limitations of Federal and state banking laws, which, 
among other things, establish acceptable levels of capital that must be 
maintained.  


                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

    As discussed under "Recent Developments," the Company, on November 30, 
1995, acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of FDH Bancshares.  Frank 
D. Hickingbotham, the sole stockholder of FDH Bancshares, received 1,260,949 
<PAGE>
shares of the Company's common stock in exchange for his shares of FDH 
Bancshares common stock. Pursuant to the stock dividend paid by the Company on 
January 2, 1996, see "Recent Developments," Mr. Hickingbotham received 88,266 
additional shares of the Company's common stock.  Mr. Hickingbotham is 
including an aggregate of 1,349,215 shares of the Company's common stock in the 
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.  Under the terms of 
the agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired FDH, Mr. Hickingbotham 
was, as of November 30, 1995, elected to the Company's Board of Directors and 
to the Executive Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.    

    As also discussed under "Recent Developments," the Company, on November 30, 
1995, acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of West-Ark Bancshares.  
Shareholders of West-Ark received, in the aggregate, and after allowing for 
cash payments in lieu of fractional shares, 644,024 shares of the Company's 
common stock in exchange for the shares of common stock of West-Ark held by 
them immediately prior to the acquisition.  Pursuant to the stock dividend paid 
by the Company on January 2, 1996, see "Recent Developments," the former 
shareholders of West-Ark received, in the aggregate, and after allowing for 
cash payments in lieu of fractional shares, 45,073 additional shares of the 
Company's common stock.    

    The table below sets forth (i) the name of each shareholder offering shares 
of Company common stock pursuant to this Prospectus (with the exception of Mr. 
Hickingbotham, each listed individual is a former shareholder of West-Ark), 
(ii) the number of shares of Company common stock currently beneficially owned 
by each listed individual, and (iii) the number of shares of Company common 
stock included in this Prospectus by each listed individual.    

                          Number of Shares of           Number of Shares of
                     First Commercial Corporation  First Commercial Corporation
                       Common Stock Beneficially      Common Stock Included    
        Name         Owned as of December 31, 1995      in this Prospectus     
 ------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------

 Sidney Brain                    88,769                        88,769
 Granville "Buddy"
   Callahan or
   G. Wayne Callahan                493                           493
 Armil O. Corran or
   Lura V. Corran                   987                           987
 Jim Dickerson, Jr.               5,803                         5,803
 James R. Ford                    5,803                         5,803
 Frank D. Hickingbotham       1,365,414                     1,349,215
 Estate of C.W. Kelly           146,245                       146,245
 Connie Kelly                     5,803                         5,803
 R. Keith Lewis or
   Marian L. Lewis                5,803                         5,803
 Michael W. Miller               88,769                        88,769
 Carolyn B. Purtle               19,758                        19,758
 David S. Purtle                 88,769                        88,769
 Ned Ray Purtle                 213,452                       213,452
 Steve B. Purtle                  1,234                         1,234
 Dr. G.P. Shrigley                5,803                         5,803
 Harold Whitson                   5,803                         5,803
 Dannie Wilkins                   5,803                         5,803    

    Collectively, Mr. Hickingbotham and the former shareholders of West-Ark are 
referred to herein as the "Selling Shareholders."
<PAGE>
                       DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SECURITIES

    The following description of the Company's capital securities does not 
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of 
the Arkansas Business Corporation Act, the Company's Second Amended and 
Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended ("Articles of Incorporation"), 
the By-Laws of the Company and the Shareholder Rights Plan, which is discussed 
below.  The Company believes, however, that the following description of the 
Company's capital securities includes a discussion of all material aspects of 
the Company's capital securities and all material aspects of the applicable 
provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation and the Arkansas Business 
Corporation Act.    

    The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 400,000 shares of 
preferred stock with a par value of $1.00 per share, and 34,000,000 shares of 
common stock with a par value of $3.00 per share.  At December 31, 1995, 
27,343,279 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding.  No shares of 
preferred stock are outstanding.    

    Common Stock.
    -------------
    Subject to the prior rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock 
which may be outstanding, the holders of common stock are entitled to such 
dividends as the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may declare out of 
earnings and surplus.  Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one 
vote for each share held on all matters brought before the holders of common 
stock, including the election of Directors.  The common stock has no cumulative 
voting rights, is not redeemable, and has no preemptive or conversion rights.  
In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether 
voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of common stock will be entitled to 
share ratably in any assets or funds of the Company remaining after payment of 
the Company's liabilities and of preferences on any outstanding shares of 
preferred stock.  All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid 
and non-assessable.

    The transfer agent for the Company's common stock is First Commercial Trust 
Company, N.A., Little Rock, Arkansas.

    Certain of the provisions contained in the Articles of Incorporation and 
By-laws of the Company are designed to deter, or may have the effect of 
deterring, certain efforts to seek changes in the control of the Company 
without approval of the Board of Directors.  These provisions tend to 
discourage such attempts because of the additional time and expense involved 
and the increased risk of failure.  As a result, the provisions may adversely 
affect the price that a potential purchaser would be willing to pay for the 
Company's common stock, thereby reducing the amount a shareholder might realize 
in, for example, certain tender offers for the common stock.

    The Company's Board of Directors is classified into three classes, as 
nearly equal in number as possible, with the members of each class being 
elected to hold office for three year terms.   Therefore, a change in the 
control of the Board of Directors cannot be accomplished in any one year, and 
at least two annual meetings of the holders of the common stock must be held 
before a majority of the members of the Board of Directors can be changed.  
This provision of the Articles of Incorporation may not be amended, altered or 
repealed (and the By-laws may not be amended in any manner inconsistent with 
such provision) without the affirmative vote of the holders of 80% of the votes 
entitled to be cast by the holders of the Company's common stock.
<PAGE>
    The Articles of Incorporation also provide that shareholders may take 
action without a meeting only by unanimous written consent.  This provision may 
not be amended, altered or repealed without the affirmative vote of the holders 
of 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the Company's common 
stock.

    The Articles of Incorporation require the approval of the holders of at 
least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the Company's 
common stock for a broad spectrum of transactions defined therein as "Business 
Combinations" involving the Company and any person or group holding 5% or more 
of the common stock ("Interested Shareholder").  Such special voting 
requirement does not apply if the transaction is either approved by a majority 
of the members of the Board of Directors who are unaffiliated with the 
Interested Shareholder, and who were directors before the Interested 
Shareholder became an Interested Shareholder, or certain minimum price and 
procedural requirements are met.  This  provision of the Articles of 
Incorporation may not be amended, altered or repealed except by the 
supermajority vote required to approve a Business Combination. 

    Shareholder Rights Plan.
    ------------------------
    One preferred share purchase right (a "Right") is attached to each share of 
the Company's common stock, including the Shares offered hereby, pursuant to a 
Shareholder Rights Plan of the Company.  The Rights trade automatically with 
the shares of common stock and become exercisable and will trade separately 
from the common stock on the tenth day after public announcement that a person 
or group has acquired, or has the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% 
or more of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock or on the tenth 
day following commencement or announcement of intent to make a tender offer for 
20% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock, in either 
case without prior written consent of the Company's Board.  When exercisable, 
each Right will entitle the holder to buy 1/100 of a share of Junior 
Participating Preferred Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $75 per 
Right.  In the event a person acquires a beneficial ownership of 20% or more of 
the Company's common stock, holders of Rights (other than the acquiring person 
or group) may purchase common stock of the Company having a market value of 
twice the then current exercise price of each Right or, under certain 
circumstances, holders of Rights may purchase stock of the acquiring company 
having a market value of twice the current exercise price of each Right.  The 
Rights are designed to protect the interests of the Company and its 
shareholders against coercive takeover tactics.  The purpose of the Rights is 
to encourage potential acquirors to negotiate with the Company's Board prior to 
attempting a takeover and to give the Board leverage in negotiating on behalf 
of all shareholders the terms of any proposed takeover.  The Rights may deter 
certain takeover proposals.  The Rights, which can be redeemed by the Company's 
Board of Directors in certain circumstances, expire by their terms on September 
28, 2000.

    Preferred Stock.
    ----------------
    The Company's Board of Directors is authorized to issue preferred stock, 
par value $1.00 per share, in one or more series, from time to time, with such 
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other 
special rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof as may 
be provided in articles of amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation 
adopted and filed by the Board of Directors without shareholder action.  The 
holders of such preferred stock shall be entitled to vote on the election of 
two directors in the event of a default in preference dividends on the 
<PAGE>
preferred stock and shall have such other voting rights as may be described by
the Board of Directors in the articles of amendment creating such series of 
preferred stock.  Holders of shares of the preferred stock shall have no 
preemption rights on account of such shares.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    The Shares offered hereby are being sold by the Selling Shareholders for 
their own accounts.  See "Selling Shareholders."

    The distribution of the Shares may be effected by the Selling Shareholders 
directly from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter 
market, in negotiated transactions, and in a combination of such methods of 
sale or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices 
related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.  In 
connection with any sales through brokers or dealers, the brokers or dealers 
may receive compensation in the form of commissions from the Selling 
Shareholders.

    The Company shall pay all filing fees, expenses of complying with state 
securities or Blue Sky laws, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, 
and accountant's fees.  The Selling Shareholders shall pay all underwriting 
fees and commissions incurred by them and all fees and disbursements of counsel 
for Selling Shareholders.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

    The validity of the Shares offered hereby will be passed upon for the 
Company by Friday, Eldredge & Clark, Little Rock, Arkansas.

                                    EXPERTS

    The consolidated financial statements of First Commercial Corporation at 
December 31, 1994 and 1993, and for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 1994, incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report 
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1994, have been audited by Ernst & 
Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their reports therein and 
incorporated by reference herein, which as to the years 1993 and 1992, are 
based in part on the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors.  
The financial statements referred to above are incorporated herein by reference 
in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firms as experts 
in accounting and auditing.    
















<PAGE>
                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

    The following table sets forth the estimated expenses payable by the 
Company and the Selling Shareholders in connection with the offering described 
in this Registration Statement.

                                               Payable by
                               -------------------------------------------
                                                 Former
                                              Shareholders      Frank D.
                                The Company    of West-Ark   Hickingbotham
                               -------------  -------------  -------------
Securities and Exchange
  Commission 
  registration fee              $ 22,579.58    $         0    $         0
Legal fees                        25,000.00              0              0
Accountants' fees                  6,000.00              0              0
Miscellaneous expenses             1,420.42              0              0
                                -----------    -----------    -----------
    Total                       $ 55,000.00    $         0    $         0
                                ===========    ===========    ===========


Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

    Section 4-27-850 of the Arkansas Business Corporation Act contains detailed 
provisions for indemnification of directors and officers of Arkansas 
corporations against expenses, judgments, fines and settlements in connection 
with litigation.  Article TWELFTH of the Company's Second Amended and Restated 
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provides for indemnification of the 
directors and executive officers of the Company to the fullest extent legally 
permissible under the relevant provisions of the Arkansas Business Corporation 
Act.


Item 16.  Exhibits

     Number                               Description                        
  ------------    -------------------------------------------------------------

      * 4.1        Company's Second Amended and Restated Articles of
                   Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to
                   Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-33529, as
                   amended).

      * 4.2        Articles of Amendment to Company's Second Amended and 
                   Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated
                   by reference to Exhibit 3 to Form 8-K dated September 18,
                   1990, in 0-9676).

      * 4.3        Articles of Amendment to Company's Second Amended and 
                   Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated
                   by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement No.
                   33-39084).
<PAGE>
      * 4.4        Articles of Amendment to Company's Second Amended and 
                   Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated
                   by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Form 10-Q for the quarter
                   ended September 30, 1993, in O-9676).

      * 4.5        Company's By-Laws as currently in effect (incorporated by
                   reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                   ended December 31, 1991 in 0-9676).

      * 4.6        Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to
                   Form 8-K dated September 18, 1990, in 0-9676).

      * 4.7        Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan
                   (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28 to Registration No.
                   33-38190, as amended).

     ** 5          Opinion and Consent of Friday, Eldredge & Clark.

        23.1       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

        23.2       Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

     ** 23.3       Consent of Friday, Eldredge & Clark (included in Exhibit 5).

     ** 24         Powers of Attorney
- -----------
 *  Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.
 ** Previously filed.    


Item 17.  Undertakings

    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

    1.  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a 
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

      (a)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
    Securities Act of 1933, unless the information required to be included in 
    such post-effective amendment is contained in a periodic report filed by
    registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities 
    Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated herein by reference;

      (b)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the 
    effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
    effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
    represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the 
    registration statement, unless the information required to be included in 
    such post-effective amendment is contained in a periodic report filed by 
    registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities 
    Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated herein by reference.  Notwithstanding
    the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if
    the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which
    was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
    maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
    with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
    changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
    maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
    Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
<PAGE>
      (c)  To include any material information with respect to the plan of 
    distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
    material change to such information in the registration statement.

    2.  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities 
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new 
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the 
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona 
fide offering thereof.

    3.  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any 
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of 
the offering.

    4.  That, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 
1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) 
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by 
reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new 
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the 
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona 
fide offering thereof.

    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the 
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions referred to in Item 15 above, 
or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public 
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event 
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the 
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer 
or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any 
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or 
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the 
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been 
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction 
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as 
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such 
issue.




















<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company 
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the 
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to 
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, 
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on 
the 30th day of January, 1996.    

                                    FIRST COMMERCIAL CORPORATION

                                     /s/ J. Lynn Wright
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    J. Lynn Wright
                                    Chief Financial Officer


    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment 
No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in 
the capacities indicated on the 30th day of January, 1996.    

  *                                 Chairman of the Board, Chief
- -------------------------------     Executive Officer, President and
Barnett Grace                       Director
                                    (Principal Executive Officer)

 /s/J. Lynn Wright                  Chief Financial Officer
- -------------------------------     (Principal Financial and
J. Lynn Wright                      Accounting Officer)

                                    Director
- -------------------------------
John W. Allison

  *                                 Director
- -------------------------------
Truman Arnold

  *                                 Director
- -------------------------------
William H. Bowen

                                    Director
- -------------------------------
Peggy Clark

  *                                 Director
- -------------------------------
Robert G. Cress

  *                                 Director
- -------------------------------
Cecil W. Cupp, Jr.

  *                                 Director
- -------------------------------
Frank D. Hickingbotham
<PAGE>
                                    Director
- -------------------------------
Walter E. Hussman, Jr.

                                    Director
- -------------------------------
Frederick E. Joyce, M.D.

                                    Director
- -------------------------------
Jack G. Justus

                                    Director
- -------------------------------
William M. Lemley

  *                                 Director
- -------------------------------
Charles H. Murphy, Jr.

                                    Director
- -------------------------------
Michael W. Murphy

  *                                 Director
- -------------------------------
William C. Nolan, Jr.

  *                                 Director
- -------------------------------
Sam C. Sowell

                                    Director
- -------------------------------
Paul D. Tilley

*By:   /s/Edwin P. Henry
      -------------------------
	Edwin P. Henry
	Attorney-in-Fact

Edwin P. Henry, by signing his name hereto, does sign this document on behalf 
of each of the persons indicated above pursuant to powers of attorney duly 
executed by such persons, filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission as supplemental information.
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

    Exhibit                                            
     Number                                 Exhibit                        
  ------------    -------------------------------------------------------------

     * 4.1         Company's Second Amended and Restated Articles of
                   Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to
                   Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-33529, as
                   amended).

     * 4.2         Articles of Amendment to Company's Second Amended and 
                   Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated
                   by reference to Exhibit 3 to Form 8-K dated September 18,
                   1990, in 0-9676).

     * 4.3         Articles of Amendment to Company's Second Amended and 
                   Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated
                   by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement No.
                   33-39084).

     * 4.4         Articles of Amendment to Company's Second Amended and 
                   Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated
                   by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Form 10-Q for the quarter
                   ended September 30, 1993, in O-9676).

     * 4.5         Company's By-Laws as currently in effect (incorporated by
                   reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                   ended December 31, 1991 in 0-9676).

     * 4.6         Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to
                   Form 8-K dated September 18, 1990, in 0-9676).

     * 4.7         Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan
                   (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28 to Registration No.
                   33-38190, as amended).

    ** 5           Opinion and Consent of Friday, Eldredge & Clark.

       23.1        Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

       23.2        Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

    ** 23.3        Consent of Friday, Eldredge & Clark (included in Exhibit 5).

    ** 24          Powers of Attorney
- -----------
*  Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.
** Previously filed.    









                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


    We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement Form S-3 (No. 33-65017) and
related Prospectus of First Commercial Corporation for the registration of
2,038,312 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated February 16, 1995, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of First Commercial Corporation included in
its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1994, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                       /s/Ernst & Young LLP

Little Rock, Arkansas
   January 30, 1996    



































                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors
First Commercial Corporation:


    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement 
of First Commercial Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated January 28, 
1994, relating to the consolidated balance sheet of State First Financial 
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1993, and the related 
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the 
years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992 which report appears as Exhibit 99(a) in 
the December 31, 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K of First Commercial 
Corporation.

    We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in 
the prospectus.


                                                   /s/KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Little Rock, Arkansas
   January 30, 1996    





























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