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EXHIBIT 5
[Letterhead of Lange, Simpson, Robinson & Somerville LLP]
August ___, 2000
Regions Financial Corporation
417 North 20th Street
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Re: Regions Financial Corporation
S-4 Registration Statement
Acquisition of East Coast Bank Corporation
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Regions Financial Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Regions") in connection with the merger of East Coast Bank
Corporation ("East Coast") with and into Regions (the "Merger") and in
connection with the registration of shares of common stock of Regions, par value
$.625 per share ("Regions Common Stock"), on Form S-4 under the Securities Act
of 1933. The Merger provides for issuance of shares of common stock of Regions,
par value $.625 per share, to the stockholders of East Coast upon consummation
of the Merger. The number of shares of Regions to be issued in the Merger is
523,250.
We have examined and are familiar with the registration statement on
Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as such registration
statement has been amended to date. We have examined and are familiar with the
records relating to the organization of Regions and the documents and records as
we have deemed relevant for purposes of rendering this opinion.
Based on the foregoing it is our opinion that upon satisfaction of the
conditions precedent to consummation of the Merger, or waiver of such conditions
capable of being waived, and upon consummation of the Merger, the shares of
Regions Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger will be duly authorized,
validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, with no personal
liability attaching to the ownership thereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
registration statement and to the reference to Lange, Simpson, Robinson &
Somerville LLP under the caption "Opinions" in the proxy statement/prospectus
forming a part of the registration statement.
Very truly yours,
