ZACHARY BANCSHARES INC
DEFA14A, 1998-03-27
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                             P R O X Y    S T A T E M E N T



                                     1 9 9 8



                        Z A C H A R Y  B A N C S H A R E S, I N C. 












                        ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC.
                          4700 Main Street
                          Zachary, LA 70791
                           1-504-654-2701


                                 							March 17, 1998


Dear Shareholders:

 	 Your Board of Directors is pleased to invite you to attend the Annual Meet
ing of Shareholders of Zachary Bancshares, Inc. on April 16, 1998 at 2:30 
P.M.  The meeting will be held in the Bank of Zachary, Main Office Lobby at 
4700 Main Street, Zachary, LA. 

 	The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and The Annual Report of the 
Company for 1997 are enclosed.   The business of the meeting will be:  The 
election of Company Directors and any other business that may properly come 
before the meeting.
 
 	 During the course of the meeting, Management will report on current acti
vities of The Company and comment on future plans.  Thank you for your in
terest and consideration.

							
                                      							Sincerely,

                                      							Harry S. Morris, Jr.
                                      							President & CEO



                                    IMPORTANT
                  PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED
                   ENVELOPE TO AUTHORIZE THE VOTING OF YOUR SHARES.



                         ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC.
                           4700 Main Street
                           Zachary, LA 70791
                            1-504-654-2701



                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS


 	 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of 
ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC., (herein referred to as "The Company") Zachary, 
Louisiana, will be held at 4700 Main Street, Zachary, LA on Thursday, April
16, 1998 at 2:30 P.M., for the following purposes:

  	To elect Directors. 

  	To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

  	Shareholders of  record as of the close of business on March 09, 1998 will
be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at this meeting.  Each share
holder will be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of stock outstanding 
as of the record date (March 09, 1998).

 	If you do not plan to be present at the meeting and wish to have your share 
or shares voted by an authorized agent, please date and sign the enclosed Proxy
and return it in the self addressed envelope which we have enclosed for your 
convenience.  The Proxy is revocable and may be revoked by you prior to its 
exercise in writing.  If you elect to revoke your executed proxy, the revo
cation may be delivered to Winston E. Canning, Secretary, 4700 Main Street,
(P. O. Box 497), Zachary, LA 70791-0497.  Your cooperation and confidence in
The Company's management is sincerely appreciated.

					
                            						BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


                           					   		       Harry S. Morris, Jr.
		             				               President and Chief Executive Officer

Zachary, Louisiana
March 17, 1998





                              ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC.

                                 PROXY STATEMENT  
                                                     
   	This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of 
proxies by the Board of Directors of Zachary Bancshares, Inc. herein called 
"The Company", for the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders which is to be held
at 4700 Main Street, Zachary, Louisiana, at 2:30 P.M. on Thursday, April 16, 
1998.
   
	The only shares that may be voted are the outstanding shares of common stock
at the close of business on March  09, 1998, the record date of the meeting. 
Each share is entitled to one vote.  Shares held in The Company's Treasury on
that date cannot be voted.
   
	The Proxy which is being solicited by this statement on behalf of the Board
of Directors may be revoked in writing prior to its exercise.
   
	The Board of Directors anticipates that these Proxy materials will be mailed
to shareholders on or about March 17, 1998.
   
	Any shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the next annual meet
ing (April  15, 1999) for inclusion in The Company's Proxy Statement and form
of Proxy relating to that meeting must be submitted not later than December  
09, 1997.  All proposals shall be in writing and addressed to the Board of 
Directors, Zachary Bancshares, Inc., P. O. Box 497, Zachary, Louisiana 
70791-0497.
   
	All costs of soliciting proxies, including the costs of preparing and mail
ing this Proxy Statement, will be borne by The Company.  It is anticipated 
that solicitations will be made only by mail; however, certain officers and 
employees of The Company, who will receive no additional compensation for 
their services, may solicit proxies by telephone, telegraph and personally.

	No Directors, nominees for election to the Board of Directors or Officers of
The Company has any substantial interest in any matter to be acted upon at 
this meeting other than the election to office.

   	ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC. SHALL PROVIDE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER SOLICITED HERE
BY, ON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY SUCH SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S 
ANNUAL REPORT OR FORM 10-KSB, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE 
SCHEDULES THERETO REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE COM
MISSION PURSUANT TO ITS REGULATIONS FOR THE COMPANY'S MOST RECENT FISCAL
YEAR.  ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC. SHALL PROVIDE TO ANY INTERESTED PARTY A COPY 
OF THE SUBSIDIARY'S CURRENT ANNUAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION REGULATION.  THE ADDRESS TO WHICH WRITTEN RE
QUESTS MAY BE DIRECTED IS AS FOLLOWS:

                       Zachary Bancshares, Inc.
                        Post Office Box 497
                       Zachary, LA 70791-0497

                         MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED

   	At the Annual Meeting of The Company's shareholders, the matters to be 
considered will include:  The election of Company Directors and any other bus
iness that may properly come before the meeting.

   	The Management of The Company knows of no other matters (other than the 
election of Directors) which may come before this meeting.  However, if any 
such matters should properly come before this meeting, it is the intention of
the person named in the enclosed Proxy to vote the Proxy in accordance with 
his best judgment.

   	The shares represented by the Proxy hereby solicited will be voted in 
accordance with the specifications made on the face of the Proxy.  No Proxy 
shall confer authority to vote for the election of any person to any office 
for which a bonafide nominee is not named in this Proxy Statement, or to vote
at any annual meeting other than the next annual meeting (or any adjournment 
thereof) to be held after the date on which this Proxy Statement and enclosed 
Proxy are first sent or given to shareholders.  The matters brought to the 
shareholders require a simple majority vote for approval.

         VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES

   	As of December 31, 1997, 216,000 shares of Zachary Bancshares, Inc.
Common Stock were authorized and issued.  These shares represent the only 
class of stock.  Each share of stock is entitled to one (1) vote.  The date 
of record for determining voting rights at the Shareholders' Meeting is March
09, 1998.  The Company does not, as of March 09, 1998, have any principal 
shareholder(s) (an individual or entity who owns more than 5% of the out
standing shares). Shares held in The Company's Treasury on March 09, 1998 
cannot be voted.

                               EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

   	Director Morris and  Director Canning  serve The Company and Bank as Exe
cutive Officers.  Harry S. Morris, Jr. serves  as Director and  President and 
CEO of The Company  and the Bank.    Winston E. Canning serves The Company as 
a Director and Secretary and the Bank as a Director and Chief Lending Officer.
Mark Thompson who served The Company as Treasurer and the Bank as Vice Presi
dent and Cashier  resigned both  on  August 29, 1997.
  
                               ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

   	The Articles of Incorporation of The Company provide that the number of 
directors will be set by the By-Laws which currently provide for a board of 
not less than five (5) nor more than thirty (30) persons.  The By-Laws provi
de for three classes of directors, each class serving a three year term.  
Class II Directors will be elected at this meeting to serve until 2001 or 
until their successors are duly elected and have qualified. 

   	It is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying Proxy to 
vote in favor of the election of director nominees named below.  If any nomi
nee becomes unavailable for any reason, the shares represented by the proxies
will be voted for such person, if any, as may be designated by the Board of 
Directors. Management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be una
vailable.

   	The information set forth below and on the following page as to age, prin
cipal occupation or employment and amount and nature of beneficial ownership 
of common stock of The Company is furnished for each nominee for election and
each director whose term as a director will continue after the meeting.  Un
less otherwise indicated, (1) all such nominees and directors have been with 
the same organization in essentially the same position as listed below for 
the past five years, and (2) such nominees and directors own, with sole voting
and investment power, the shares listed.  The year listed under the heading 
"First Elected Director" indicates the year in which the nominee or director 
was elected as a Bank of Zachary Director (which may be prior to the formation 
of The Company).

                                                         Shares      Percent 
                         Principal Occupation   First  Beneficially     of     
 Name                   Age   or Employment   Elected  Owned as of    Common
                 								                     Director Dec.31,1997    Stock     
          
                  Class II  (DIRECTOR NOMINEES:  TERMS EXPIRE 2001)

	Russell Bankston*G^+       	69	Retired Judge   	1971    	3,030    	 1.56
	(1)

	Albert C. Mill, III, Ph.D.* 	54	 Portable 
                                Embryonics,Inc. 	1986    	1,959     	1.00

                                                         Shares	    Percent   
                        Principal Occupation  First    Beneficially     of     
Name           Age       or Employment        Elected   Owned as of   Common   
                  								                    Director  Dec.31,1997   Stock    

                    CLASS III (Directors whose terms expire 1999)

	Harry S. Morris, Jr.*^ 52	President and Chief 	1974     	1,164      	 .60
	(1)                    		 Executive Officer 
                           of Bank of Zachary

	Rodney  S. JohnsonG+ 	40 	Insurance Agent     	1991       	100        .05

                          Class I (Directors whose terms expire 2000)

Hardee M. Brian*G      71  Agribusiness        1982         840        .43

Winston E. Canning*^   53  Executive Vice
(1)                        President of Bank
                           of Zachary          1984        1,224       .63
Howard L. Martin,M.D.G^71  Surgeon             1974          567       .29

All directors and executive officers
as a group, 7 persons                                      8,884      4.56   

G Member of Bank Audit Committee
* Member of Bank Finance Committee
+ Member of Bank Investment Advisory Committee
^ Member of Community Reinvestment Act Committee

(1) Shares beneficially owned by Mr. Bankston include 882 owned by his wife.  
Mr. Canning's beneficially owned shares include 270 shares which are in his 
children's names.  Mr. Morris' beneficially owned shares include 114 shares 
which are in his children's names.

     During 1997, The Company's Board of Directors held a total of six meetings.
The Board of Directors of The Company has no committees.  The Bank's Board of
Directors met twelve times during 1997.  All Directors attended eighty-three
percent or more of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors
of The Company, the Bank, and Committee(s) of the Board of Driectors on which 
they served with the exception of A. C. Mills, III who attended sixth-two per
cent of the Finance Committee meetings.  Bank Directors were paid $300 per month
board fee.  Directors are allowed two paid absences annually.  All Directors 
received a $1,000 retainer in 1997.  The Board of Directors fo the Bank has a 
Finance Committee, Audit Committee, Investment Committee and Community Reinvest
ment Act (CRA) Committee.  The Finance Committee met forty-two times during 1997
to consider loan applications presented by the Bank's lending officers.  Non-
employee Finance Committee members receive $2,400 annually.  The Audit Com
mittee met once during 1997.  Maximum compensation per Audit Committee member
was $200 in 1997.  The Investment Committee's responsibility is to provide guid
ance in securities transactions.  No compensation is provided for members of 
this Committee.  The CRA Committee which provides direction and oversight to
the applicable Federal Statutes met three times in 1997, and received no compen
sation.  The various Committee memberships are indicated in the preceding table.


                        STOCK OPTION - INCENTIVE PLANS


   	The company has no outstanding options, warrants or rights granted to any 
individual or entity.


                          TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT

   	The Bank has had, and expects to have in the future, banking transactions 
in the ordinary course of business with directors and officers on the same 
terms, including interest rates and collateral on loans, as those prevailing 
at the same time for comparable transactions with others and, in the opinion 
of the Bank, not involving more than the normal risk of collectibility or
presenting other unfavorable features.


                        EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The fillowing table disclosed the compensation paid during the last three
fiscal years, to The Company's Chief Executive Officer and its other executive
officer.

Summary Compensation Table

                           Annual Compensation

Name & Principal      Year  Salary1   Bonus1   Other2      All3
   Position                                    Annual      Other
                                                Comp.      Comp.
Harry S. Morris, Jr   1997  $93,074   $5,758  $10,807    $ 4,750
President & CEO       1996   93,051    7,500   12,209     36,798
                      1995   96,120    7,500   10,089      4,750

Winston E. Canning    1997  $83,729   $5,230  $ 9,991    $ 4,750
Exec. Vice President  1996   85,327    7,500   11,751     34,309
                      1995   84,139    7,500    8,944      4,750

1Salary & Bonus - 

  Mr. Morris' 1997 salary included $9,434.20 deferred compensation under Inter
nal Revenue Code, Section 401(K), $2,962.51 automobile benefit and $1,526.62
disability insurance premium.

  Mr. Canning's 1997 salary included $6,150.34 deferred compensation under In
ternal Revenue Code, Section 401(K), $775.27 automobile benefit, $777.60 
Country Club benefit, and $1,711.29 disability insurance  premium.

2Other Annual Compensation - Includes the following Bank Contributions to:

                                			1997          	1996	         1995 
Mr. Morris'
401(K) Savings Plan	            	$ 3,302       	$ 4,245      	$ 3,484
Employee Profit Sharing Plan   		$ 7,505 	      $ 7,964	      $ 6,605

Mr. Canning's
401(K) Savings Plan	            	$ 3,075       	$ 4,172       	$ 3,079
Employee Profit Sharing Plan   		$ 6,916       	$ 7,339	       $ 5,865	


3All Other Compensation - Includes the following:

                                			1997            	1996	         1995
Mr. Morris' 		           
Director Compensation          		$ 4,600       	 $  4,600      	$ 4,600	
Term Life Insurance	                	150             	150          	194 
Accrued Leave Plan	                  -	            32,198           -

Mr. Canning's		           
Director Compensation          		$ 4,600       	 $  4,600      	$ 4,600 	
Term Life Insurance		                150             	150          	150 
Accrued Leave Plan		               2,166	          29,559	          -



                           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   	The consolidated financial statements, management's discussion and analy
sis of financial condition and results of operations included in Zachary Banc
shares, Inc. Annual Report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 
1997 are incorporated herein by reference.  A copy of such Annual Report is 
being mailed with this Proxy Statement to each shareholder of record for the 
Annual Meeting.

                         ACCOUNTING SERVICES

  	The independent public accounting firm retained by the Board of Directors 
is Hannis T. Bourgeois & Co., L.L.P.,(HTB) Certified Public Accountants.  HTB
has served as the Bank's principal accounting firm since 1976.  It is expect
ed that a representative of HTB will be present at the Shareholders' Meeting.

   	HTB performed audit services in 1997 including financial statement exam
inations, consultations relevant to regulatory filings, and preparation of 
various Federal Tax filings.  The accounting firm also performed professional
services in 1997 as deemed necessary by the Audit Committee or Management.  
It is expected that HTB will be retained as accountants for The Company for 
the year 1998 performing primarily the same services rendered in 1997. 	








____________________________________________________________

                        PLEASE SIGN

                        AND RETURN

                        YOUR PROXY

                       IMMEDIATELY 


          IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE


____________________________________________________________





                              PROXY

     (THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                                OF
                      ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC.)

    KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned hereby names, con
stitutes and appoints Russell Bankston or Rodney S. Johnson, with full power of
subsitution, as attorney and proxy to appear and vote all of the shares of 
stock outstanding in my name at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of
Zachary Bancshares, Inc. to be held at 4700 Main Street, Zachary, Louisiana on
Thursday, April 17, 1998, at 2:30 P.M., and at any and all adjournments thereof;
and the undersigned hereby revokes any and all previously executed proxies.

     The undersigned hereby instructs the said attorney and proxy to vote said
shares as follows:

     To vote FOR the nominations and election to the Board of Directors nominees
named in the Proxy Statement dated March 17, 1998, accompanying the Notice of
said meeting and this Proxy namely:

                                         Class II Directors
                                         (Term expires 2001)

Authority     Authority     Abstain     Russell Bankston
Granted       Withheld                  Albert C. Mills, III, Ph.D.

ANY SHAREHOLDER MAY WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE BY LINING
THROUGH OR OTHERWISE STRIKING OUT THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE.

ANY PROXY WHICH IS EXECUTED BY THE SHAREHOLDER IN SUCH A MANNER AS NOT TO
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY, TO VOTE FOR, OR ABSTENTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO GRANT SUCH
AUTHORITY.

   To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

   The Board of Directors of Zachary Bancshares, Inc. does not know, as of the
time this Proxy is solicited, of any other matters which may be presented at 
the meeting; however, if any such other matters should come before the meet
ing, IT IS THE INTENTION  OF THE PERSON NAMED IN THIS PROXY TO VOTE THE PROXY
IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS BEST JUDGMENT, UNLESS SUCH AUTHORITY IS WITHHELD.

   The undersigned hereby acknowledges receiptof the Proxy Statement submitted
with this Proxy by the Board of Directors of Zachary Bancshares, Inc. dated
March 17, 1997, and acknowledges that, unless authority is withheld or unless
the contrary is so specified above, the said attorney and proxy shall vote the
shares represented by this Proxy FOR, the nomination and election to the Board
of Directors as named above; and in his discretion in accordance with his best
judgment with respect to any other matters presented at the meeting.

                                  Dated and signed, on this________,1998 

                                             __________________________
                                             (Signature of Shareholder)

                   PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY IMMEDIATELY
                  IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE 








             ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                                
                                
                                
                                
                           TABLE OF CONTENTS




  President's Message...................................... 1 - 2
  Independent Auditor's Report.............................   3
  Consolidated Balance Sheets
    December 31, 1997 and 1996.............................   4
  Consolidated Statements of Income
    for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.........   5
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders'
    Equity for the years ended December 31, 1997
    and 1996...............................................   6
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
    years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.................  7-8
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    December 31, 1997 and 1996.............................  9-25
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993...........   26
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
    for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995,
    1994 and 1993..........................................   26
  Average Balance Sheets and Interest Rate Analysis
    for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.........   27
  Interest Differential
    for the year ended December 31, 1997...................   28
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
    for the quarter periods in the years ended
    December 31, 1997 and 1996.............................   28
  Management's Discussion and Results of Operation......... 29-33
  Officers.................................................   34
  Board of Directors.......................................   34
Bank Locations...........................................   34



                                
                                
                                
                    ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC.


                                             March 17, 1998

Dear Shareholders:

    Zachary  Bancshares, Inc. had income of $927,240 in  1997  as
compared to $819,326 in 1996.  Our Board of Directors paid a cash
dividend  of $1.75 in 1997 as compared to $1.65 in 1996  and  our
return on average equity was 11.71%.

    The  Bank's  total  assets increased from $76,027,427  as  of
December  31, 1996 to $77,805,680 as of December 31,  1997.   Our
loan to deposit ratio increased from 53.45% in 1996 to 65.58%  in
1997.  Total loans grew from $36,439,826 to $45,369,723 in 1997.

    Zachary  has  continued to grow in 1997.  Judge  Lonny  Myles
opened  a  new  attorney  office.   Lane  Memorial  Hospital  has
finished  the new construction on their emergency room  and   the
Bank  of  Zachary  has added an ATM for the  convenience  of  the
employees and customers of the hospital.  Lane Memorial has  also
just  completed the construction of several new doctors'  offices
at the corner of Hwy 64 and McHugh Road.

   Dr. Eddie Annison opened the Plains Veterinary Hospital on Hwy
64.  Zachary Realty has just about completed the construction  on
Plainsland  Estates  Subdivision on the corner  of  Hwy  964  and
Plains Port Hudson Road.  Gaines Builders has just purchased land
for  a  new subdivision south of Zachary on 964.  We also have  a
new  80 room retirement center under construction on McHugh  Road
behind the hospital.  A new Texaco Station is to be built at  the
corner of Hwy 64 and 964.  Winn Dixie has purchased five acres on
Hwy  19  to  build a new Market Place Winn Dixie.  Home  Builders
Center,  Inc. should soon finish construction of its  12,000  sq.
ft. store and lumber yard on Hwy 64 near Plank Road.

    We  broke ground March 03, 1998 for our new two story, 15,874
sq.  ft.  main office, a six lane drive up area, a drive  up  ATM
with  a  night  depository and an 1800 sq. ft. storage  building.
All  of  our banking services will be housed in this one building
which  will take about 48 weeks to construct.  The Bank  will  be
built  by  H.B.E.  Financial  Facilities,  a  leading  nationwide
financial institution design/build firm, a division of St.  Louis
based H.B.E. Corporation.

    In  1997,  Michael Word, the Specialized Investment  Division
Broker, located in the Bank lobby, was 8th in production  out  of
the   100   brokers  for  Specialized  Investments  in  financial
institutions  across the country.  We are the smallest  financial
institution where they have a broker.

   Back in 1904 seventy-one original stockholders, out of a  town
of  less than 400 people, had a dream of starting their own  bank
and

                                2

making  Zachary  a better place to live.  They were  mainly  from
agricultural backgrounds who, when giving you their word,  looked
you straight in the eye and gave you a firm hand shake.  When  it
came time to integrate the schools we worked together, black  and
white, to make things work.  As a result, we ended up having  one
of  the  best  community  schools in the  parish.   This  started
drawing more families to Zachary.

  As acquisitions and mergers of East Baton Rouge Parish banks to
state  and  regional  banks have occurred, Bank  of  Zachary  has
remained  the  only  original independent  community  bank  still
serving  its local market. Zachary has become the fastest growing
city  of  its size in the state.  The Bank of Zachary along  with
city  officials and local business leaders is proud to be a  part
of  this  growth.  We  are very thankful for the  successes  that
Zachary has achieved.

   We  thank  you,  the shareholders, as well as  the  directors,
officers  and employees for your continued support and  in  forty
eight  weeks,  we will have a new bank building  which  will  say
across the front:

                         BANK OF ZACHARY
                     SERVING YOU SINCE 1904


                                     Sincerely,




                                    Harry S. Morris, Jr.
                                    President
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                
                                3
                                
                HANNIS T. BOURGEOIS & CO., L.L.P.
                  CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                  2322 TREMONT DRIVE, SUITE 200
                      BATON ROUGE, LA 70809
                        1 (504) 928 4770



                                        January 10, 1998


To the Shareholders
  and Board of Directors
Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Zachary, Louisiana

We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets of
Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary as of December 31, 1997
and  1996,  and the related Consolidated Statements of  Income,
Changes  in Stockholders' Equity and Cash Flows for  the  years
then  ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility
of  the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted our audits in accordance with generally  accepted
auditing  standards.  Those standards require that we plan  and
perform  the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An
audit  includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the  amounts  and disclosures in the financial statements.   An
audit  also  includes assessing the accounting principles  used
and  significant  estimates  made by  management,  as  well  as
evaluating  the  overall financial  statement presentation.  We
believe  that  our audits provide a reasonable  basis  for  our
opinion.

In  our  opinion,  the financial statements referred  to  above
present   fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial
position  of   Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and  Subsidiary  as  of
December   31,  1997  and  1996,  and  the  results  of   their
operations,  changes in their stockholders'  equity  and  their
cash  flows for the years then ended, in conformity with  gener
ally accepted accounting principles.

                                Respectfully submitted,

                                
                                
                                
                                
                                4
             Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
                   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   December 31, 1997 and 1996

                                  ASSETS
                                                 1997           1996
Cash   and  Due  from  Banks                $  2,481,869     $3,654,801
Interest Bearing Deposits in Other
  Institutions                                    95,046        111,469
Reserve Funds Sold                             1,700,000        850,000
Securities Available for Sale (Amortized
Cost of $25,624,161 and $32,554,647) -        25,620,114     32,528,819

Loans                                        $46,141,573    $37,260,053
   Less: Allowance for Loan Losses              (771,850)      (820,227)
                                             $45,369,723    $36,439,826
Bank Premises and Equipment                    1,693,887      1,339,439
Other Real Estate                                217,401        408,181
Accrued Interest Receivable                      558,501        612,568
Other Assets                                      69,139         82,324

     Total Assets                            $77,805,680    $76,027,427

                               LIABILITIES
Deposits
   Noninterest Bearing                       $14,418,082    $12,327,349
   Interest Bearing                           54,762,690     55,841,920
                                             $69,180,772    $68,169,269
Accrued Interest Payable                         188,188        185,288
Other Liabilities                                221,985         60,994
     Total Liabilities                       $69,590,945    $68,415,551

                           STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock - $10 par value;
   authorized 2,000,000 shares;
   issued 216,000 shares                     $ 2,160,000    $ 2,160,000
Surplus                                        1,480,000      1,480,000
Retained Earnings                              5,024,066      4,435,582
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities
  Available for Sale, Net                        ( 2,671)       (17,046)
Treasury Stock - 22,333 Shares, at Cost         (446,660)      (446,660)
    Total Stockholders' Equity                 8,214,735      7,611,876
 
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
       Equity                                 $77,805,680    $76,027,427


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.


                                5

             Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
         for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996
                                        1997        1996
Interest Income:
  Interest and Fees on Loans         $3,601,644  $2,938,522
  Interest on Securities              1,758,344   2,033,691
  Other Interest Income                 112,694     147,658
      Total Interest Income          $5,472,682  $5,119,871
Interest Expense on Deposits          2,148,247   2,125,503
Interest Expense on Borrowings            -             777
      Total Interest Expense         $2,148,247  $2,126,280

      Net Interest Income             3,324,435   2,993,591

Provision for Loan Losses                30,854      -

      Net Interest Income after
        Provision for Loan Losses    $3,293,581  $2,993,591

Other Income:
  Service Charges on
    Deposit Accounts                 $  505,552     501,746
  Gain(Loss) on Securities               (5,391)       (64)
  Other Operating Income                158,307      99,311

      Total Other Income             $  658,468     600,993

      Income before Other Expenses   $3,925,049  $3,594,584

Other Expenses:
  Salaries and Employee Benefits     $1,462,089  $1,375,678
  Occupancy Expense                     162,977     195,399
  Net Other Real Estate Expense           5,648      (1,053)
  Other Operating Expenses              924,521     792,365

      Total Other Expenses           $2,555,235  $2,362,389

      Income before Income Taxes     $1,396,814  $1,232,195
Applicable Income Tax                   469,412     412,869
      Net Income                     $  927,402  $  819,326

Per Share
      Net Income                     $     4.79  $     4.23

      Cash Dividends                 $     1.75  $     1.65

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
                                6
                                
             Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary

   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

         for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996




                                         1997          1996
Common Stock:
  Balance - Beginning and End
  of Year                            $ 2,160,000    $ 2,160,000


Surplus:
  Balance - Beginning and End
    of Year                          $ 1,480,000    $ 1,480,000


Retained Earnings:

  Balance - Beginning of Year        $ 4,435,582    $ 3,935,807
    Net Income                           927,402        819,326
    Cash Dividends                      (338,918)      (319,551)

  Balance - End of Year              $ 5,024,066    $ 4,435,582


Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities
  Available for Sale:

  Balance - Beginning of Year       $   (17,046)  $   38,260
    Net Change in Unrealized Gain
     on Securities Available for Sale    14,375      (55,306)

  Balance - End of Year             $    (2,671) $  (17,046)


Treasury Stock:

  Balance - Beginning and
    End of Year                     $  (446,660) $ (446,660)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
                                7
             Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary

              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

         for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996


                                                1997         1996
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
  Net Income                                $   927,402   $ 819,326
  Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
     Provision (Credit) for Loan Losses          30,854       -
     Provision for Depreciation                 180,180     104,763
     Provision (Credit) for Deferred Tax         (8,198)    108,776
     Amortization (Accretion) of Securities
     Premiums (Discounts)                       (14,016)     16,195
     Dividends on FHLB Stock                    (36,200)    (13,100)
     (Gain) Loss on Sale of Securities            5,391          64
     Gain on Sale of Other Real Estate          (11,685)    (12,971)
     (Increase) Decrease in Interest
     Receivable                                  54,067     (28,021)
     (Increase) Decrease in Other Assets         13,185       2,210
     Increase (Decrease) in Interest Payable      2,900      15,010
     Increase (Decrease) in Other Liabilities   161,783    (176,225)
            Net Cash Provided by Operating
              Activities                    $ 1,305,663  $  836,027
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
  Net (Increase) Decrease in Interest Bearing
    Deposits in Other Institutions          $    16,423  $  (11,367)
  Net (Increase) Decrease in Reserve
    Funds Sold                                 (850,000)  1,850,000
  Purchases of Securities                    (7,033,096)(13,412,708)
  Proceeds from Maturities of Securities      5,078,682   8,847,206
  Proceeds from Sale of Securities            8,929,725   2,024,375
  Net (Increase) Decrease in Loans           (8,960,751) (6,852,379)
  Purchases of Premises and Equipment          (534,628)   (508,650)
  Sales of Other Real Estate                    202,465      76,164
            Net Cash Used in Investing
              Activities                     (3,151,180) (7,987,359)




                           (CONTINUED)
                                8
                                
             Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
                                
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                           (CONTINUED)
                                
          for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996

                                               1997        1996
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Net Increase (Decrease) in Demand
    Deposits, NOW Accounts and Savings
    Accounts                               $(1,556,661) $ 6,565,247
  Net Increase in Certificates of
    Deposit                                  2,568,164    2,247,497
  Cash Dividends                              (338,918)    (319,551)
            Net Cash Provided by Financing
              Activities                   $   672,585   $8,493,193

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Due
  from Banks                               $(1,172,932)  $ 1,341,861
Cash and Due from Banks - Beginning
  of Year                                    3,654,801    2,312,940

Cash and Due from Banks - End of Year      $ 2,481,869  $ 3,654,801

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow
  Information:
    Noncash Investing Activities:
      Other Real Estate Acquired
        (Disposed) in Settlement of Loans  $     -      $     19,604

      Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
        Securities Available for Sale      $    21,781  $   (83,797)

      Change in Deferred Tax Effect on
        Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities
        Available for Sale                 $    (7,406) $     28,491

      Cash Payments for:
      Interest Paid on Deposits            $ 2,145,347  $  2,110,493

      Income Tax Payments                  $   475,000  $    329,000

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
                                9
             Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
                                
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                   December 31, 1997 and 1996

Note A - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies -
     The  accounting principles followed by Zachary Bancshares,
Inc.  and  its  wholly-owned Subsidiary, Bank of  Zachary,  are
those   which  are  generally  practiced  within  the   banking
industry.   The  methods of applying those  principles  conform
with  generally accepted accounting principles  and  have  been
applied   on   a   consistent  basis.   The  principles   which
significantly  affect the determination of financial  position,
results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flows are summarized below.

Principles of Consolidation
     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of  Zachary  Bancshares, Inc. (the Company), and   its  wholly-
owned  subsidiary,  Bank of Zachary (the Bank).   All  material
intercompany accounts and   transactions have been  eliminated.
Certain  reclassifications  to previously  published  financial
statements  have  been  made to comply with  current  reporting
requirements.

Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of  assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent  assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported  amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities

     Securities  are  being accounted for  in  accordance  with
Statement of Financial Accounting  Standards (SFAS)   No.  115,
"Accounting   for  Investments in Debt and Equity  Securities,"
which  requires  the classification of securities  as  held  to
maturity, trading, or available for sale.

     Securities  classified as held to maturity  are  those  debt
securities  the Bank has both the intent and ability to  hold  to
maturity  regardless of changes in market  conditions,  liquidity
needs  or  changes  in  general economic conditions.   Securities
classified  as  trading are those securities held for  resale  in
anticipation  of  short-term market movements. The  Bank  had  no
securities classified as held to maturity or trading at  December
31, 1997 and 1996.

     Securities classified as available for sale are those debt
securities  that  the Bank intends to hold  for  an  indefinite
period  of time but not necessarily to maturity.  Any  decision
to sell a security

                               10
classified  as  available for sale would be  based  on  various
factors,  including  significant movements in  interest  rates,
changes   in  the  maturity  mix  of  the  Bank's  assets   and
liabilities,     liquidity    needs,     regulatory     capital
considerations,   and   other  similar   factors.    Securities
available for sale are carried at fair value.  Unrealized gains
or  losses  are reported as increases or decreases in stockhold
ers'  equity, net of the related deferred tax effect.  Realized
gains  or  losses,  determined on the  basis  of  the  cost  of
specific securities sold, are included in earnings.

Loans
    Loans are stated at principal amounts outstanding, less the
allowance for loan losses.  Interest on commercial loans is  ac
crued daily based on the principal outstanding.

     Impaired loans are being accounted for in accordance  with
Statement  of  Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)  No.  114,
"Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan"  as  amended
by  Statement No. 118, "Accounting by Creditors for  Impairment
of a Loan - Income Recognition and Disclosure".  The statements
generally require impaired loans to be measured on the  present
value  of  expected future cash flows discounted at the  loan's
effective  interest  rate, or as an expedient,  at  the  loan's
observable market price or the fair value of the collateral  if
the loan is collateral dependent.

    A loan is impaired when it is probable the creditor will be
unable  to  collect  all  contractual  principal  and  interest
payments  due  in  accordance with  the   terms  of   the  loan
agreement.  Interest  on impaired loans is discounted when,  in
management's  opinion,  the borrower  may  be  unable  to  meet
payments  as they become due.  Generally, the Bank discontinues
the accrual of interest income when a loan becomes 90 days past
due as to principal or interest.  When a loan is placed on non-
accrual status, previously recognized but
uncollected  interest is reversed to income or charged  to  the
allowance  for  loan losses.  Interest income  is  subsequently
recognized only to the extent cash payments are received.

Allowance for Loan Losses
     The  allowance  for  loan losses is  an  amount  which  in
management's judgment is adequate to absorb potential losses in
the   loan  portfolio. The allowance for loan losses  is  based
upon  management's review and evaluation of the loan portfolio.
Factors  considered in the establishment of the  allowance  for
loan  losses include management's evaluation of specific loans;
the  level and composition of classified loans; historical loss
experience; results of examinations by regulatory agencies;  an
internal  asset review process; expectations of future economic
conditions and their impact on particular borrowers; and  other
judgmental factors.
                                
                                
                                
                               11
     The  allowance  for loan losses is based on  estimates  of
potential future losses, and ultimate losses may vary from  the
current  estimates.  These estimates are reviewed  periodically
and  as  adjustments become necessary, the effect of the change
in  estimate  is charged to operating expenses  in  the  period
incurred.   All  losses are charged to the allowance  for  loan
losses  when  the  loss  actually  occurs  or  when  management
believes  that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely.
Recoveries  are  credited  to the  allowance  at  the  time  of
recovery.

Bank Premises and Equipment
     Bank  premises  and  equipment are  stated  at  cost  less
accumulated  depreciation.  Depreciation is provided  at  rates
based  upon estimated useful service lives using the  straight-
line  method  for financial reporting purposes and  accelerated
methods for  income tax purposes.

    The cost of assets  retired or  otherwise  disposed of  and
the  related accumulated depreciation are eliminated  from  the
accounts  in  the year of disposal and the resulting  gains  or
losses are included in current operations.

     Expenditures  for maintenance and repairs are  charged  to
operations   as   incurred.   Cost  of  major   additions   and
improvements are capitalized.

Other Real Estate
     Other  real  estate  is comprised of  properties  acquired
through  foreclosure  or negotiated settlement.   The  carrying
value  of  these  properties is lower of cost  or  fair  market
value.  Loan  losses  arising from  the  acquisition  of  these
properties  are  charged  against  the  allowance   for    loan
losses.   Any   subsequent  market   reductions  required   are
charged  to  Net  Other  Real  Estate  Expense.   Revenues  and
expenses associated with maintaining or disposing of foreclosed
properties  are  recorded during the  period  in   which   they
are incurred.

Income Taxes

     The  provision  for  income taxes is based  on  income  as
reported in the financial statements after interest income from
state  and  municipal securities is  excluded.   Also   certain
items   of   income and expenses are recognized  in   different
time periods  for  financial statement purposes than for income
tax   purposes.   Thus   provisions  for  deferred  taxes   are
recorded in  recognition of  such  timing differences.

    Deferred  taxes  are  provided on  a  liability  method  in
accordance with SFAS No. 109 whereby deferred  tax  assets  are
recognized  for deductible temporary differences and  operating
loss  and tax credit



                               12
carry-forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized  for
taxable  temporary  differences.  Temporary   differences   are
the   differences  between the  reported amounts of  assets and
liabilities and their tax bases.
                                
    Deferred  tax  assets are reduced by a valuation  allowance
when, in the opinion of  management, it  is  more likely   than
not  that   some portion or all of  the  deferred  tax   assets
will   not  be   realized.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are  adjusted for  the effects of changes in tax laws and rates
on the date of enactment.

   The  corporation and its subsidiary file a consolidated  fed
eral  income tax return.  In addition, state income tax returns
are filed individually by Company in accordance with state stat
utes.

Earnings per Common Share

    The  computation of earnings per share and other per  share
amounts of common stock is based on the weighted average number
of  shares of common stock outstanding during each year,  which
is 193,667 in 1997 and 1996.


Statements of Cash Flows

     For  purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and  due  from
banks  includes  cash  on  hand  and  amounts  due  from  banks
(including cash items in process of clearing).

Current Accounting Developments


     The   Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  has  issued
Statement  No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing  of
Financial  Assets  and Extinguishments of  Liabilities".   This
statement  becomes  effective for transfers  and  servicing  of
financial  assets and extinguishments of liabilities  occurring
after  December  31, 1996.  This statement provides  accounting
and   reporting  standards  for  transfers  and  servicing   of
financial  assets  and  extinguishments  of  liabilities.   The
statement   generally  requires   that  after  a  transfer   of
financial  assets,  an  entity would  recognize  all  financial
assets  and  servicing  it  controls  and  liabilities  it  has
incurred, and would not recognize financial assets when control
  has been  extinguished. The application of this statement has
no effect on the financial statements as of December 31, 1997.


Note B - Cash and Due from Banks -

     The Bank is required by state law to maintain average cash
reserve  balances.  The amounts of those required  reserves  at
December  31,  1997  and 1996 were approximately  $572,000  and
$655,000, respectively.

                               13

Note C - Securities -

    Amortized  cost  amounts  and  fair  values  of  securities
available for sale at December 31, 1997 and 1996 are summarized
as follows:

                                           1997
                                     GROSS        GROSS
                     AMORTIZED    UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED    FAIR
                       COST         GAINS        LOSSES     VALUE
U.S. Treasury
  Securities        $ 1,980,063   $    10,562  $     -    $ 1,990,625
Securities of Other
  U.S. Government
  Agencies           12,519,211        59,201     (3,674)  12,574,738
Mortgage-Backed
  Securities          5,694,931        50,409        (971)  5,744,369

                                              1997
                                      GROSS        GROSS
                    AMORTIZED       UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED     FAIR
                       COST           GAINS        LOSSES       VALUE
Collateralized Mortgage
   Obligations     $  5,166,656   $      -     $  (119,574) $5,047,082
Equity Securities       263,300          -             -       263,300
   Total            $25,624,161   $    120,172 $  (124,219) $5,620,114

                                             1996
                                     GROSS          GROSS
                    AMORTIZED       UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED    FAIR
                      COST            GAINS         LOSSES      VALUE
U.S. Treasury
  Securities       $ 4,952,334    $    27,067  $     (971)  $ 4,978,430
Securities of Other
  U.S. Government
    Agencies        17,492,767         85,815     (22,743)   17,555,839
Mortgage-Backed
     Securities      3,211,309         36,852         -       3,248,161
                                             
                                            1996
                                     GROSS           GROSS
                    AMORTIZED      UNREALIZED       UNREALIZED    FAIR
                      COST           GAINS            LOSSES      VALUE
Collaterized Mortgage
    Obligations      6,671,137          -         (151,848)   6,519,289

Equity Securities      227,100          -             -         227,100
    Total          $32,554,647    $   149,734   $ (175,562) $32,528,819
                                
                               14
The  amortized cost and fair values of securities available for
sale  as of December 31, 1997 by contractual maturity are shown
below.   Maturities may differ from contractual  maturities  in
mortgage-backed   securities   and   collateralized    mortgage
obligations because the mortgages underlying the securities may
be  called  or repaid without any penalties.  Therefore,  these
securities are not included in the maturity categories  in  the
following maturity summary.
                                
                                      AMORTIZED       FAIR
                                        COST          VALUE
        Within One Year            $ 4,479,100    $ 4,485,987
        One to Five Years            6,984,476      7,021,376
        Five to Ten Years            2,001,852      2,016,000
        Ten to Fifteen Years         1,033,846      1,042,000
                                    $14,499,274    $14,565,363
  
     Securities  available for sale with  a  fair  value  of
  $20,360,176 and $18,104,735 at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
  were  pledged  as  collateral on public deposits  and  for
  other purposes as required or permitted by law.
  
    The Company has invested in Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
  which is included in Equity Securities and is reflected at
  the lower of cost or market in these financial statements.
  The  cost  of  these  securities  was  $263,300  with   no
  unrealized gains or loss at December 31, 1997.
  
     Gross  realized  gains  and losses  from  the  sale  of
  securities for the years ended December 31, 1997 and  1996
  are as follows:

  
                                         1997             1996
  
         Realized   Gains         $       4,449      $  23,686
         Realized  Losses               (9,840)        (23,750)
                                  $     (5,391)      $     (64)
  
  Note D - Loans -
  
    An analysis of the loan portfolio at December 31, 1997 and
  1996, is as follows:
                                         1997            1996
  
     Real  Estate Loans - Construction $ 4,014,705      $  3,646,767
     Real  Estate  Loans - Mortgage      33,865,106       27,004,473
        Loans     to    Farmers              81,779           65,163
     Commercial  and Industrial Loans     5,112,686        2,210,904
     Loans  to  Individuals               2,832,383        3,752,088
       All  Other Loans                     234,914          580,658
  
             Total Loans                $46,141,573      $37,260,053
  
  
  
  
                               15
  
    The Bank had non-performing loans on a non-accrual basis
  totaling  approximately $216,598 and $181,800 at  December
  31,  1997  and   1996, respectively.  The Bank  recognized
  $4,962  and  $4,736 in interest income relating  to  these
  loans  during the years ended December 31, 1997 and  1996.
  Had  the loans been performing, approximately $18,035  and
  $18,154  of  additional interest income  would  have  been
  recognized for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.
  Loans  contractually past due 90 days or more, in addition
  to  loans on  non-accrual, were  -0- at December 31,  1997
  and 1996, respectively.  The Company has no impaired loans
  at December 31, 1997, in accordance with SFAS No. 114.
                                
     The  Bank is permitted under the laws of the  State  of
  Louisiana  to  make extensions of credit to its  executive
  officers,  directors and their affiliates in the  ordinary
  course  of  business.  The amount of  such  related  party
  loans  was $631,701 and $792,412 at December 31, 1997  and
  1996, respectively.  An analysis of the aggregate of these
  loans for 1997, is as follows:
  
  
  Balance - Beginning of Year           $   792,412
    New Loans                               450,578
    Repayments                             (611,289)
  Balance - End of Year                 $   631,701

  
  Note E - Allowance for Loan Losses -
  
     Following is a summary of the activity in the allowance
  for loan losses:
                                          1997         1996
  Balance - Beginning of Year           $ 820,227   $ 820,000
    Current Provision from Income          30,854        -
    Recoveries of Amounts Previously
      Charged Off                          16,569      20,055
       Amounts Charged Off                (95,800)    (19,828)
  Balance - End of Year                 $ 771,850   $ 820,227
  
  Ratio of Reserve for Possible Loan
    Losses to Non-Performing Loans
       at   End   of   Year                356.35%     451.08%
  Ratio of Reserve for Possible Loan
    Losses to Loans Outstanding at
       at   End   of   Year                  1.67%       2.20%
  Ratio of Net Loans Charged Off to
     Average Loans Outstanding for
     the year                                 .19%      (.01)%
  
  
                               16
  
  Note F - Bank Premises and Equipment -
     Bank  premises  and  equipment  costs  and  the related
  accumulated  depreciation at December 31, 1997  and  1996,
  are as follows:
                                            ACCUMULATED
                               ASSET COST  DEPRECIATION      NET
   December 31, 1997:
     Land                   $   450,908    $     -        $  450,908
     Bank Premises              743,265       475,118        268,147
     Furniture and Equipment  1,651,862        928,691       723,171
    Construction in Progress    251,661          -           251,661
                            $ 3,097,696    $ 1,403,809    $1,693,887
   December 31, 1996:
     Land                   $   450,908    $     -        $  450,908
     Bank Premises              743,265        457,126       286,139
    Furniture and Equipment   1,481,067        878,675       602,392
                            $ 2,675,240    $ 1,335,801    $1,339,439
  
     The  provision  for depreciation charged  to  operating
  expenses was $180,180 and $104,763, respectively, for  the
  years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.
  
  Note G - Deposits -
  
    Following is a detail of deposits:
                                                 1997         1996
    Demand    Deposit   Accounts             $14,418,082  $12,327,349
    NOW and Super NOW Accounts                10,341,151   14,442,373
    Money Market Accounts                      4,639,948    4,498,050
    Savings Accounts                           7,809,647    7,497,717
    Certificates of Deposit Over $100,000     15,437,497   11,257,527
    Certificates of Deposit                   16,534,447   18,146,253
                                             $69,180,772  $68,169,269
  
     Interest expense on certificates of deposit over  $100,000
  for  the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, amounted  to
  $610,768 and $573,747, respectively.
                                
     Public  fund deposits at December 31, 1997 and 1996,  were
  $14,664,896 and $14,543,810, respectively.
  
Note H - Stockholders' Equity and Regulatory Matters -

      Stockholders'   Equity   of  the   Company   includes   the
undistributed earnings of the Bank.  Dividends are  paid  by  the
Company from its assets which are provided primarily by dividends
from  the  Bank.   Dividends are payable  only  out  of  retained
earnings and current earnings of the Company.

                               17

  Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of the Bank to
transfer  funds  to  the Company in the form of  cash  dividends.
Louisiana statutes require approval to pay dividends in excess of
a  state  bank's earnings in the current year plus  retained  net
profits  for the preceding year. As of January 1, 1998, the  Bank
had  retained  earnings  of $5,614,153 of  which  $1,006,189  was
available for distribution without prior regulatory approval.

     The  Company and the Bank are subject to various  regulatory
capital  requirements administered by federal and  state  banking
agencies.    Failure   to   meet   minimum   regulatory   capital
requirements   can  initiate  certain  mandatory,  and   possible
additional   discretionary  actions  by   regulators,   that   if
undertaken, could have a direct material affect on the  Company's
financial statements.  Under the capital adequacy guidelines  and
the  regulatory  framework  for  prompt  corrective  action,  the
Company  and  the  Bank  must  meet specific  capital  guidelines
involving  quantitative  measures  of  assets,  liabilities,  and
certain  off-balance-sheet items as calculated  under  regulatory
accounting practices.  The Company and the Bank's capital amounts
and  classification under the prompt corrective action guidelines
are  also  subject  to qualitative judgments by regulators  about
components, risk weightings and other factors.

     Quantitative  measures established by regulation  to  ensure
capital  adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts
and ratios.  As detailed below, as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
the  Company met all of the capital requirements to which  it  is
subject.

    As of December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company was categorized
as  well  capitalized under the regulatory framework  for  prompt
corrective action.  There are no conditions or events  since  the
most recent notification the management believes have changed the
prompt corrective action category.

    Following is a summary of capital levels at December 31, 1997
and  1996:

                                                           TO BE WELL
                                                        CAPITALIZED UNDER
                        ACTUAL   REQUIRED FOR CAPITAL   PROMPT CORRECTIVE
                        RATIOS    ADEQUACY PURPOSES      ACTION PROVISIONS
As of December 31,
   1997:

  Total Capital (to
   Risk-  Weighted
   Assets)             19.22%          8.00%               10.00%
  Tier I Capital(to
   Risk-Weighted
   Assets)             18.14%          4.00%                6.00%
  Tier I Leveraged
   Capital (to
   Average Assets)     10.38%          4.00%                5.00%

                               18

As of December 31,
  1996:
  Total Capital(to
   Risk-  Weighted
   Assets)             22.28%          8.00%               10.00%
  Tier I Capital(to
   Risk-  Weighted
   Assets)             21.02%          4.00%                6.00%
  Tier I Leveraged
    Capital(to
     Average Assets)    9.48%          4.00%                5.00%

    Under  current  regulations, the Bank  is  limited  in  the
amount it may loan to its Parent.  Loans to the Parent may  not
exceed  10% of the Bank's capital and surplus.  There  were  no
loans outstanding at December 31, 1997 and 1996.
  
  Note I - Employee Benefit Plans -
  
    The  Bank of Zachary has a defined contribution Profit Shar
 ing  Plan  and Trust for its qualified employees.   Each  year
 the  Board  of  Directors of the Bank  determines  the  Bank's
 contribution.   No  contribution  is  required  by   qualified
 participants. Contributions charged to expense for  this  plan
 were  $56,839  and $50,572 for the years  ended  December  31,
 1997 and 1996.

    In addition, the Bank has a 401(K) plan for those employees
 who  meet  the  necessary eligibility  requirements.   Covered
 employees  may voluntarily contribute 1% to 15% of  gross  pay
 to  the plan.  The Bank matched one-half of the employee's con
 tribution  to a maximum of 7% of gross pay in 1997  and  1996.
 Contributions  charged to expense for this plan  were  $28,161
 and  $34,428 for the years ended December 31, 1997  and  1996,
 respectively.
  
Note J - Other Operating Expenses -
  
     An  analysis  of Other Operating  Expenses for  the  years
  ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, is as follows:
                                            1997         1996
      Data Processing                  $   29,093    $  87,058
      Computer and Office Expenses        320,221      175,929
      Professional Fees                   100,270      132,271
      Other                               474,937      397,107
                                       $  924,521    $ 792,365
  Note K - Income Tax -
  
    The total provision for  income taxes charged  to income
  amounted  to  $469,412 and $412,869  for  1997  and  1996,
  respectively.   The  provisions  represent  effective  tax
  rates of 34% in 1997 and 1996.
  
                               19
  
    Following is a reconciliation between income tax expense
  based  on the federal statutory tax rates and income taxes
  reported in the statements of income.
                                           1997             1996
   Income Taxes Based on Statutory
     Rate  -  34%  in 1997 and 1996    $   474,917       $  418,946
      Other - Net                           (5,505)         (6,077)   
                                        $  469,412      $  412,869
                                       $    469,412        $  412,869
  The components of consolidated income tax expense (benefits)
  are:

     Provision for Current Taxes        $  477,610       $   304,093
     Provision(Credit) for
        Deferred Taxes                      (8,198)          108,776
                                        $   469,412      $   412,869

     A  deferred income tax liability of $60,202 is included  in
  other liabilities at December 31, 1997.  A deferred income tax
  liability  of  $60,994  is included in  other  liabilities  at
  December 31, 1996.
  
     The deferred tax provision consists of the following timing
  differences:
                                          1997             1996
  Accumulated Depreciation for Tax
   Reporting in Excess of Amount
     for   Financial  Reporting       $    7,433        $ (1,454)

  Provision for Loan Losses
   for Tax Reporting in Excess
      of Amount for Financial Reporting      -            41,025

  Provision for Loan Losses
   for Financial Reporting in
   Excess of Amount for Tax               (9,594)            -

  Accretion Income for Financial
    Reporting in Excess of
    Tax Reporting                            -            21,338

  Accretion Income for Tax Reporting in
    Excess of Financial Reporting         (9,320)            -
  Provision for Deferred Leave for
    Financial Reporting in Excess of
      the Amount for Tax Reporting           -            58,756
  Hospitalization Expense for Financial
    Reporting in Excess of Amount for
    Tax Reporting                            -           (10,889)

                                
                                
                               20

Hospitalization Expense for Tax Reporting
    in Excess of Amount for Financial
    Reporting                           3,283          -
                                  $    (8,198)   $   108,776
      The  net  deferred  tax asset (liability)  consist  of  the
following components at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

                                            1997             1996
Depreciation                            $  (45,102)    $  (37,669)
  Provision for Loan Losses                 (6,115)       (15,709)
  Accretion Income                         (26,345)       (35,665)
  Self-Insured Hospitalization Plan         15,984         19,267
  Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Securities
    Available for Sale                       1,376          8,782
     Total Deferred Tax Asset (Liability) $(60,202)      $(60,994)
                                
Note L - Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments -

     The  Company is a party to financial instruments  with  off-
balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to  meet  the
financing  needs  of its customers.  These financial  instruments
include  commitments  to  extend credit and  letters  of  credit.
These   instruments  involve,  to varying  degrees,  elements  of
credit  risk  in excess of the amount recognized in  the  balance
sheets.

     The  Company's  exposure to credit  loss  in  the  event  of
nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for
commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is represented
by  the  contractual amount of those instruments.  The Bank  uses
the  same  credit policies in making commitments and  conditional
obligations  as they do  for on-balance-sheet instruments.

   In the normal course of business the Bank has made commitments
to  extend  credit of $6,343,932 and $3,626,213 as  of   December
31,  1997 and 1996,respectively.  Commitments as of December  31,
1997 include unfunded loan commitments aggregating $6,263,132 and
letters of credit of $80,800.  Commitments as of December 31,1996
include  unfunded  loan  commitments aggregating  $3,567,295  and
letters of credit of $58,918.
                                
    The Bank has three lines of credit available to assist in the
management of short-term liquidity.  Two lines are with other
financial institutions and total $3,500,000.  The third is with
the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and is for approximately
$5,344,000.  Total available lines of credit as of December
31,1996 were $8,108,00.  No funds were drawn on any of these
lines at December 31, 1997 or 1996.




                               21

Note M - Fair Value of Financial Instruments -

     The  following methods and assumptions were used to estimate
the  fair value of each class of financial instruments for  which
it is practicable to estimate that value:

     Cash  and  Short-Term  Investments -  For  those  short-term
instruments,   the  carrying amount is a reasonable  estimate  of
fair value.

     Securities  - Fair value of securities held to maturity  and
available  for  sale is based on quoted market prices  or  dealer
notes.  If a quoted market price is not available, fair value  is
estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

     Loans  -  The  fair  value  for  loans  is  estimated  using
discounted  cash  flow  analyses, with interest  rates  currently
being  offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit
rates.   Loans  with similar classifications are  aggregated  for
purposes of the calculations.  The allowance for loan loss  which
was used to measure the credit risk, is subtracted from loans.

     Deposits  -  The  fair  value of  demand  deposits,  savings
account, and certain money market deposits is the amount  payable
at   the   reporting  date.  The  fair  value  of  fixed-maturity
certificates of deposit is estimated using discounted  cash  flow
analyses,  with interest rates currently offered for deposits  of
similar remaining maturities.

    Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit  -
The  fair  values  of  commitments to extend credit  and  standby
letters of credit do not differ significantly from the commitment
amount and are therefore omitted from this disclosure.
                                
    The   estimated  approximate  fair  values   of  the   Bank's
financial  instruments as of December 31, 1997 and  1996  are  as
follows:

                                                      1997
                                           CARRYING           FAIR
                                            AMOUNT            VALUE
    Financial Assets:

      Cash and Short-Term Investments    $  4,276,915       $4,276,915
      Securities                           25,620,114       25,620,114
      Loans-Net                            45,369,723       45,915,000
                                          $75,266,752      $75,812,029
Financial Liabilities:
  Deposits                                $69,180,772         $69,025,828

                               22

                                                    1996
                                         CARRYING            FAIR
                                          AMOUNT             VALUE
  Financial Assets:

    Cash and Short-Term Investments   $ 4,616,270        $ 4,616,270
    Securitie  s                       32,528,819         32,528,819
    Loans-Net                          36,439,826         35,295,000
                                      $73,584,915        $72,440,089
Financial Liabilities:
    Deposits                          $68,169,269        $67,146,489

Note N - Concentrations of Credit -

   The  majority  of  the  Bank's business  activities  are  with
customers in the Bank's market area, which consists primarily  of
East  Baton  Rouge and adjacent parishes.  The majority  of  such
customers  are  depositors of the Bank.   The  concentrations  of
credit  by  type of loan are shown in Note D. Most of the  Bank's
credits  are to individuals and small businesses secured by  real
estate.  The Bank, as a matter of policy, does not extend  credit
to any single borrower or group of related borrowers in excess of
$750,000.

Note O - Commitments and Contingencies -

   The Bank has entered into a contract for the construction of a
new  main  office  facility to be located in Zachary,  Louisiana.
The  estimated construction cost of the facility per the contract
is  $2,876,700.  The project is scheduled to begin in  the  first
quarter  of 1998 with completion anticipated in the first quarter
of  1999.   The  project is expected to have  an  impact  on  the
results  of  operations primarily through increased  depreciation
expense. Financing alternatives are currently be evaluated.

   In  the normal course of business, the Company is involved  in
various  legal  proceedings.  In the opinion  of  management  and
counsel, any liability resulting from such proceedings would  not
have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company's  financial
statements.



                               23
Note P - Financial Information - Parent Company Only -

  The financial statements for Zachary Bancshares, Inc. (Parent
  Company) are presented below:
                             BALANCE SHEETS

                          December 31, 1997 and 1996

                                                1997         1996
    Assets:

      Cash                                 $   429,932    $   383,339
      Investment in Subsidiary               7,811,482      7,220,412
      Other Assets                               -             37,577

         Total Assets                      $ 8,241,414    $ 7,641,328

    Liabilities:

      Income Tax Payable                   $    6,059     $    -
      Due to Subsidiary                        20,620          29,452
          Total  Liabilities               $   26,679     $    29,452

    Stockholders' Equity:

      Common Stock                         $2,160,000      $2,160,000
      Surplus                               1,480,000       1,480,000
      Retained Earnings                     5,021,395       4,418,536
      Treasury Stock                         (446,660)       (446,660)
         Total Stockholders' Equity        $8,214,735      $7,611,876
         Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
           Equity                          $8,241,414      $7,641,328

                          STATEMENTS OF INCOME
             for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996

                                                1997         1996
Income:
   Dividend  from Subsidiary                $  360,000     $400,000

Expenses:
   Operating Expenses                           15,515       18,299
Income before Equity in Undistributed
    Net Income of Subsidiary                   344,485       381,701

Equity in Undistributed Net Income
    of Subsidiary                              576,695       429,494

        Net Income before Income Taxes         921,180       811,195

Applicable Income Tax Expense (Benefit)         (6,222)       (8,131)

       Net Income                          $   927,402    $   819,326
                                

                               24
                                
                                
                                
                    STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                
              for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996



                                                     1997         1996

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

   Net Income                                     $ 927,402    $ 819,326
  Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
      Equity in Undistributed Net Income
      of Subsidiary                                (576,695)    (429,494)
        (Increase) Decrease in Other Assets          37,577      (24,901)
        Increase (Decrease) in Due to Subsidiary     (8,832)      16,776
       Increase (Decrease) in Income Tax Payable      6,059         -
        Net Cash Provided by Operating
                Activities                           385,511     381,707

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

    Dividends  Paid                                 (338,918)   (319,551)

        Net Cash Used in Financing
            Activities                              (338,918)   (319,551)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash                       46,593      62,156

Cash - Beginning of Year                             383,339     321,183

Cash - End of Year                                $  429,932   $ 383,339









                               25

             Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
                                
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                
          December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993


                             ASSETS
                  1997         1996        1995        1994       1993
Cash and Due 
 from Banks    $ 2,576,915 $ 3,766,270  $ 2,413,042  $2,592,065  $ 2,446,066
Securities      27,320,114  33,378,819   32,774,648  31,785,000   39,529,128
Loans           45,369,723  36,439,826   29,607,051  27,421,397   20,031,325
Other Assets     2,538,928   2,442,512    2,075,694   2,609,584    2,448,210

  Total Assets $77,805,680 $76,027,427  $66,870,435 $64,408,046  $64,454,729

                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deposits       $69,180,772 $68,169,269  $59,356,525 $58,404,821  $57,796,596
Other Liabilities  410,173     246,282      346,503     324,754      339,691
Stockholders'
 Equity          8,214,735   7,611,876    7,167,407   5,678,471    6,318,442
Total Liabilities
 and Stockholders' 
  Equity        $77,805,680 $76,027,427  $66,870,435 $64,408,046  $64,454,729

Selected Ratios:
  Loans to Assets     58.31%      47.93%       44.27%     42.57%       31.08%
  Loans to Deposits   65.58%      53.45%       49.88%     46.95%       34.66%
  Deposits to Assets  88.91%      89.66%       88.76%     90.68%       89.67%
  Equity to Assets    10.56%      10.01%       10.72%      8.82%        9.80%
  Return on Average
    Assets             1.23%       1.11%        1.14%      1.11%        1.36%  
  Return on Average 
    Equity            11.71%      11.50%       12.13%      12.19%      15.34%
                                

           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
   for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993

                    1997        1996         1995        1994         1993 
Interest Income $ 5,472,682 $ 5,119,871  $ 4,684,130   $4,188,994  $ 4,165,960
Interest Expense  2,148,247   2,126,280    1,826,859    1,356,065    1,333,250
  Net Interest
    Income        3,324,435   2,993,591    2,857,859    2,832,929    2,832,710
Provision (Credit) for
 Loan Losses         30 854       -          (77,374)     (42,338)       -
  Net Interest after
Provision for
 Loan Losses      3,293,581   2,993,591    2,934,645    2,875,267    2,832,710
Other Income        658,468     600,993      542,664      445,561      658,679
Other Expenses    2,555,235   2,362,389    2,326,014    2,218,122    2,140,574
  Income before
   Income Taxes   1,396,814   1,232,195    1,151,295    1,102,706    1,350,815

Applicable Income
  Tax Expense       469,412     412,869      385,512      388,470      460,478

  Net Income    $   927,402  $  819,326  $   765,783  $   725,236  $   890,337

Per Share:
   Net Income   $      4.79  $     4.23  $      3.95  $      3.75  $      4.60

Cash Dividends  $      1.75  $     1.65  $      1.50  $      1.35  $      1.20

Book Value -
  End of Year   $     42.42  $    39.30  $     37.01  $     29.32  $     32.63

                                
                                  26

             Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
          AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATE ANALYSIS
            for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996

                                      1997
                             INTEREST   AVERAGE              INTEREST  AVERAGE
                 AVERAGE      INCOME/    YIELD/   AVERAGE      INCOME/   YIELD
                 BALANCE      EXPENSE     RATE    BALANCE      EXPENSE   RATE
     ASSETS
Interest Earning 
 Deposits and
 Reserve Funds  $ 2,773,000  $  112,694  5.42%  $ 2,773,000 $  147,658  5.32%
Securities:
  Taxable        28,156,000   1,758,344  6.25    33,224,000  2,033,691  6.12
Loans-Net        40,690,000   3,601,644  8.85    33,645,000  2,938,522  8.73
Total Earning 
  Assets         70,925,000   5,119,871  7.35%   69,642,000  5,119,871  7.35%

Allowance for 
  Loan Losses     (809,000)
Nonearning
  Assets          5,180,000
Total Assets    $75,296,000

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FHLB Borrowings $     -            -         -   $   13,000 $      777  5.98%
Savings and NOW
  Accounts       19,809,000      589,931    2.98 19,065,000    563,929  2.96
Insured Money
 Market Accounts  4,964,000      107,307    2.16  5,155,000    102,286  1.98
Certificates of 
 Deposit         28,770,000    1,451,009    5.04 28,592,000  1,459,288  5.10
  
 Total Interest 
   Bearing
   Liabilities   53,543,000    2,148,247    4.01 52,825,000  2,126,280  4.03%

Demand Deposits 13,269,000                       13,042,000
Other Lia
  bilities         562,000                          567,000
Stockholders'
  Equity         7,922,000                        7,122,000
    Total Liabilities
      and Stockholders'
        Equity $75,296,000                      $73,556,000
Net Interest Income           $3,324,435                     $2,993,591
Net Interest Income - Spread             3.71%                          3.32%

Net Interest Income as a % of
   Total Earning Assets                  4.69%                          4.30%


             Zachary Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
                        INTEREST DIFFERENTIAL
                 for the year ended December 31, 1997
                                        1997 OVER 1996
                                  CHANGE             TOTAL
                              ATTRIBUTABLE TO       INCREASE
                             VOLUME      RATE      (DECREASE)
Interest Earning Assets:
    Reserve Funds Sold     $ (37,329) $   2,365)   $ (34,964)
    Securities              (314,349)    39,002     (275,347)
    Loans                    618,888     44,234      663,122
      Total Interest Income  267,210     85,601      352,811
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
    Bank Borrowings             (777)      -            (777)
    Savings and NOW 
       Accounts               22,106      3,896       26,002
    Insured Money 
       Market Accounts        (4,020)     9,041        5,021
    Certificates of Deposit    8,977    (17,256)      (8,279)
      Total Interest Expense 193,311    106,110      299,421
Increase (Decrease) in Interest
  Differential             $ 240,924  $  89,920    $ 330,844
  
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    for the quarter periods in the years ended December 31, 1997
  and 1996
  
                                               1997
                                4TH         3RD         2ND         1ST
                             QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER
  Interest Income          $1,420,659  $1,410,438  $1,344,448  $1,297,137
  Interest Expense            549,390     534,827     533,458     530,872
    Net Interest Income       871,269     875,611     811,290     766,265
  
  Provision for
   Loan Losses                  7,395      8,245       7,735       7,479
     Net Interest Income
        after Provision
          for Loan Losses      863,874   867,366     803,555     758,786
  Other Income                 166,216   181,160     161,327     151,068
  Other Expenses               673,466   654,114     618,991     609,967
      Income before
        Income Taxes           356,624   394,412     345,891     299,887
Applicable Income Tax
   Expense                     131,134   124,500     117,725      96,053
     Net Income             $  225,490 $ 269,912  $  228,166  $  203,834

Per Share:
  Net Income                $    1.17  $    1.39  $     1.18  $     1.05

   Cash Dividend            $     .95  $    -     $      .80  $     -

See auditor's report on the selected financial and statistical data.

                                                 1996
                               4TH          3RD          2ND       1ST
                             QUARTER      QUARTER      QUARTER    QUARTER
Interest Income            $1,370,017   $1,307,119   $1,262,860   $1,179,875
Interest Expense              567,876      544,562      538,485      475,357
   Net Interest Income        802,141      762,557      724,375      704,518

Provision for
  Loan Losses                   -            -            -            -

  Net Interest Income
    after Provision     
    for Loan Losses           802,141      762,557      724,375      704,518
Other Income                  171,113      141,338      145,364      143,178 
Other Expenses                661,108      595,508      559,515      546,258

   Income before
     Income Taxes             312,146      308,387      310,224      301,438

Applicable Income Tax
  Expense                     111,400      104,100      102,441       94,928

     Net Income            $  200,746   $  204,287   $  207,783   $  206,510

Per Share:
  Net Income               $     1.04   $     1.05   $     1.07   $     1.07

Cash Dividends             $      .90   $    -       $      .75   $    -


                       ApplicableIncome Tax
             MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
         FINANCIAL OPERATIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   The Company evaluates its financial strength through continual
review  of  management, asset quality, capital, earnings  and  li
quidity.  The  Company continuously addresses  each  area  on  an
individual   and  corporate  basis.  The  following  Management's
Discussion  and  Analysis  relates  to  the  Company's  financial
position for the years 1997 and 1996.  This information is a part
of   and  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Financial
Statements  and  related Notes.  The Company is  unaware  of  any
trends,  uncertainties  or events which would  or  could  have  a
material  impact  on  future  operating  results,  liquidity   or
capital.

CAPITAL

     The   Company's  capital  continues  to  exceed   regulatory
requirements and peer group averages.  Regulatory Risk Based Capi
tal  requirements for 1997 and 1996 were 8.0%.  Regulatory  Lever
age  Ratio  requirements were 4% for the same time  period.   The
Company's  Equity to Assets Ratio (below) includes the effect  of
the  Unrealized Loss ($4,047) on Securities discussed in Note  C.
The Company's ratios as of December 31 are as follow:

                                      1997       1996

     Risk Based Capital Ratio           18.14%     21.02%
     Leverage Ratio                     10.38%      9.48%
     Equity to Assets Ratio             10.04%     10.01%

    Earnings  will  continue to be the Company's main  source  of
capital  growth.   Management  is  committed  to  capital  growth
through earnings retention.  An earnings retention ratio  is  the
percentage of current earnings retained within the capital  struc
ture.  The Company's earnings retention ratios at December 31 are
as follows:

                                   Shareholder     Retention
                     Net Income     Dividends        Ratio

     1997             $927,402      $338,918          63%
     1996             $819,326      $319,550          61%

   The Company distributed to shareholders, cash dividends of
$1.75 and $1.65 per share in 1997 and 1996, respectively.

LIQUIDITY

    Liquidity management is the process of ensuring that  the  Ba
nk's  assets  and liabilities are appropriately structured.   The
Company's short-term and long-term liquidity is provided  by  two
sources:   core deposits and an adequate level of assets  readily
convertible to cash.

                               29
Management  continually monitors the balance sheet to insure  its
ability  to  meet  current and future depositor requirements  and
loan  funding  commitments.   The  Company  does  not  anticipate
difficulties in meeting funding obligations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

    Zachary  Bancshares, Inc.'s (ZBI) net  income  for  1997  was
$927,402  compared  to  $819,326 for 1996 or  a  13.2%  increase.
ZBI's  income stream is from core banking products and  services.
ZBI continues to benefit from strong regional and local economies
and expects continued growth. The following table indicates ZBI's
equity  position  and balance sheet trends.  The  effect  of  the
Unrealized Loss on Securities discussed in Note C is included  in
the Stockholders' Equity data.


                                     Growth Trends
                                (year to year in $ and %)

                               97 to 96            96 to 95

Stockholders' Equity     $  602,859 or 7.9%  $  444,469 or 6.2%
Average Assets           $1,740,000 or 2.4%  $6,391,000 or 9.5%

Earnings Analysis

    The Company's 1997 Net Interest Income increased 11.1%.   Net
Interest Income in 1996 was $3,324,435 compared to $2,993,591 for
1996.

   Average earning assets were $70,925,000 in 1997 compared to
69,642,000 in 1996.  The following table depicts the Company's
average earning assets components in thousands of dollars and the
respective percentage relationship.

                                      1997              1996

   Reserve & FHLB Funds           $ 2,079   03%     $ 2,773   04%
   Securities                      28,156   40%      33,224   48%
   Loans (Net)                     40,690   57%      33,645   48%

     Average Earning Assets       $70,925  100%     $69,642  100%

   The  previous  table indicates average earning assets  growth.
Management  actively  pursued increases  in  the  Company's  loan
portfolio in 1997 and 1996.  The majority of the Company's  loans
are  secured by local, single family dwellings, with a fixed rate
and 5 year balloon repricing terms.
                                

                               30

    Average deposit liabilities were $66,812,000 in 1997 compared
to
$65,867,000  in 1996.  The following table depicts ZBI's  average
deposit  liabilities  components and  the  respective  percentage
relationship, dollars in thousands.
                                
                                    1997             1996

 FHLB Borrowings               $     0    0%     $    13     0%
 Demand Deposits                13,269   20%      13,042    20%
 Savings & NOW                  19,809   30%      19,065    28%
Money Market                    4,964    7%       5,155     8%
 Certificates                   28,770   43%      28,592    44%

  Average Depositor Liability  $66,812  100%     $65,854   100%

    As  interest rates decreased in recent years, depositors have
moved  funds  from  the  longer  maturities  (Certificates)  into
shorter  maturities.  Management expects an  increase  in  market
rates  may  influence depositors to return some funds  to  longer
term Certificates. Management remains committed to accepting only
trade area deposits, which have core deposit characteristics. The
Company   accepted  approximately  $3,000,000  in  Public   Funds
deposits  in  the  fourth quarter of 1997 which have  an  average
maturity  of one year.
                                
   The  Company's Net Interest Spread and Margin are shown below.
Net  Interest  Spread  is the difference  between  the  yield  on
earning  assets and the cost of funding.  Net Interest Margin  is
interest income as a percent of average earning assets.
                                         1997          1996

   Net Interest Spread                   3.71%         3.32%
   Net Interest Margin                   4.69%         4.30%

    The  Company's interest rate sensitivity is measured  monthly
and  considered  by  the  Board  and  Management.  Interest  rate
sensitivity  results from the timing differences at which  assets
and  liabilities  may be repriced as market  rates  change.   The
Company  utilizes various measurement techniques to  analyze  and
predict interest rate sensitivity.  The Company's cumulative  GAP
(Interest   Rate   Sensitive   Assets\Interest   Rate   Sensitive
Liabilities)  on December 31, 1997 was 101.72% at  the  one  year
time  horizon and 115.00% at the 24 month time horizon.   The  12
month  GAP of 101.72% indicates $565,000 more assets will reprice
than  liabilities.  The 24 month horizon will reprice  $6,078,000
more assets than liabilities.

   The  Company  uses  computer simulation  to  predict  the  net
interest  margin  change at various interest  rate  shifts.   The
December  1997  simulation indicates the Company's  net  interest
margin will change by less than 5% if interest rates move  up  or
down 3% at the 12 month horizon.


                               31

    The  Company sold Securities in 1997 resulting  in  a  $5,391
cumulative loss; sales in 1996 resulted in a $64 cumulative loss.
In  both  years,  the  Company was repositioning  the  Securities
portfolio  to either effect future earnings, sell less marketable
items or effect the Asset-Liability position.

Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses

   The  Allowance  for  Loan  Losses  is  the  amount  Management
determines   necessary  to  reduce  loans  to   their   estimated
collectible amounts and to provide for future losses  in  certain
loans  which are currently unidentified. The Provision  for  Loan
Losses  is  the  amount  charged to current  earnings  which  are
contributed  to the Allowance, hereby maintaining the Allowance's
integrity.  The following table reflects year end  Allowance  and
Provision totals:

                                  1997             1996

   Allowance for Losses         $771,850         $820,227
   Provision for Losses         $ 30,854         $  -
                                
    Management  utilizes diversification by loan type,  borrower,
purpose  and  industry  in  combination  with  individual  credit
standards  to  balance  the Company's credit  risks.   Loans  are
reviewed   to   facilitate  identification  and   monitoring   of
potentially  deteriorating  credits.   Management  considers  the
current Allowance adequate to absorb potential losses.

Non-Performing Assets

    Non-performing assets include non-accrual loans, restructured
loans  and  foreclosed assets.  Loans are placed  on  non-accrual
when  a borrower's financial position has weakened or the ability
to   comply   with  contractual  agreements  becomes   reasonably
doubtful.   Restructured  loans  have  had  original  contractual
agreements  renegotiated  because  of  the  borrower's   apparent
inability to fulfill the contract.  Other Real Estate,  by  State
Law, is carried at the lower of cost or current market value  for
any asset appraised in excess of $40,000.

   The following table represents non-performing and renegotiated
assets at year end:
                                        1997             1996

   Non-Accrual Loans                  $216,598         $181,800
   Restructured Loans                    -               58,231
   Other Real Estate                   217,401          408,181

     Total                            $433,999         $648,212




                               32

   The  Company  maintains an internal Watch List for  Management
purposes for loans (both performing and non-performing) that have
been  identified as requiring special monitoring.  The Watch List
consists of accruing, non-accruing and restructured loans.  These
loans  have characteristics resulting in Management's concern  of
the  borrower's current ability to meet the loan contract.  Watch
List totals at December 31 are:

                                1997         1996

                            $1,316,800    $1,600,000

    In 1997, the Company realized a $11,684 Gain on Sale of Other
Real  Estate,  similar 1996 sales resulted in a $12,971  Gain  on
Sale.

Other Income

    Service  Charges on Deposit Accounts were flat for the  years
under  consideration as the Company offered  new  products  which
included  reduced  monthly  service  fees  which  offset   higher
volumes.   Other Income increased 59.4% or $58,996 in 1997,  this
increase  included  fee income from investment  sales  which  the
Company received under the terms of a contract with a third party
which   offers  discount  brokerage  service  at  the   Company's
facility.

Other Expense

    Salaries  and Employee benefits increased 6.3% to  $1,462,089
compared  to  $1,375,678  in 1997 due primarily  to  an  employee
performance bonus plan which was implemented in 1997.   Occupancy
expense decreased 16.6% to $162,977 from $195,399 in 1996.   1996
included  facilities  improvements which were  not  necessary  in
1997.   Other  Operating Expenses increased 16.7% as the  Company
converted  to  an inhouse computer system from a  service  bureau
environment  which resulted in increased equipment  and  software
depreciation. In addition, there was an increase in supplies  and
printing  and  other one time costs as a result of this  computer
conversion.

Income Tax

    The  Company  was  fully taxable in both 1997  and  1996  and
expects to remain so in 1998.








                               33

                                
ZACHARY BANCHARES, INC.    ZACHARY BANCSHARES, INC.    BANK LOCATIONS 
OFFICERS                   AND BANK OF ZACHARY
                           DIRECTORS                   MAIN OFFICE
Harry S. Morris, Jr.                                   4700 Main Street
President & C.E.O.         Russell Bankston
                           Chairman of the Board
Winston E. Canning                                     The Plaza
Secretary                  Rodney S. Johnson           2210 Hwy 64, Zachary    
                           Vice Chairman
Larry Bellard
Treasurer                  Hardee M. Brian
                           Winston E. Canning          Central Branch
                           Howard L. Martin, M.D.      13444 Hooper Road
                           Albert C. Mills, III, PhD.  Baton Rouge
BANK OF ZACHARY            Harry S. Morris, Jr.
OFFICERS

Harry S. Morris, Jr.       Director Emeritus
President & C.E.O.         A. C. Mills, Jr.                  INFORMATION       
                           Leonard Aguillard
Winston E. Canning                                      Request for additional
Executive Vice President                                information or copies
and Cashier                                             of Form 10KSB filed
                                                        with the Securities
Larry Bellard                                           and Exchange Com
Vice President                                          mission in Washington,
                                                        D.C. should be directed
Gerard R. "Bubba" Beatty                                to:
Vice President
                                                        Chief Financial Officer
Warren Couvillion          STOCK INFORMATION            Zachary Bancshares,Inc.
Vice President                                          Post Office Box 497
                          The Company's stock is not    Zachary, LA 70791-0497
Kathleen Parker           listed on any security
Vice President            exchange.  Therefore,            TRANSFER AGENT
                          Zachary Bancshares, Inc.         & REGISTRAR
Judy Andrews              does not have exchange
AssistantVice President   data that provides high and     Bank of Zachary
                          low stock prices.  The          Post Office Box 497
Ethel Mae Womack          Company did not have stock      Zachary, LA 70791-497
Assistant Vice President  trades in 1996.
                                                       INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Laura Steen               There was a cash dividend       Hannis T.Bourgeois
Operations Officer        paid in 1997 of $1.75 per       & Co., L.L.P.
                          share and $1.65 in 1996.        2322 Tremont Dr.
Melinda White                                             Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Note Supervisor
& Compliance Officer

Sandra Worthy
Operations Officer


                                
                               34















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