UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 17, 2000
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Arkansas 0-6253 71-0407808
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization) file number) identification No.)
501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(870)541-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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ITEM: 5
The following is the text of a press release issued by the registrant at 8:20
A.M. Central Standard Time on July 17, 2000.
FOR RELEASE: Monday, July 17, 2000
SIMMONS FIRST COMPLETES PURCHASE OF
EIGHT FIRST FINANCIAL BANKING OFFICES
Pine Bluff, AR -- Simmons First National Corporation (SFNC) has
expanded its coverage of Central and Northwest Arkansas with the purchase of two
Conway and six Northwest Arkansas locations of First Financial Banc Corporation,
according to J. Thomas May, Simmons First chairman, president and chief
executive officer.
The offices in Conway, Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Siloam
Springs have combined deposits of approximately $71 million, and will open
Monday, July 17 under the Simmons First banner. Simmons First also acquired
assets with an estimated value of $78 million, including selected loans,
premises, cash and other assets.
May said, "We are excited about this opportunity of continued growth
and offering the Simmons First philosophy of community banking throughout
Arkansas. These locations allow us to fill some geographical voids in our
efforts to establish a network of community banks and also to increase our
presence where we are already located."
The two Conway locations are part of Simmons First National Bank in
Pine Bluff and the six offices in Northwest Arkansas are part of Simmons First
Bank of Northwest Arkansas.
May also noted, "Simmons First's emphasis on local decision making and
outstanding customer service will continue to serve our customers well. The same
friendly associates who have served the industries, retail businesses and
individuals for so many years in Conway and Northwest Arkansas will remain as
part of the Simmons First team."
SFNC is a $1.8 billion multi-bank holding company, with community banks
headquartered in Pine Bluff, Jonesboro, Lake Village, Dumas, Rogers,
Russellville, Searcy and El Dorado, Arkansas. The Company's eight banks conduct
financial operations from 63 offices in 33 Arkansas communities. The Company's
common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol "SFNCA."
# # #
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lawrence Fikes
Vice President - Marketing Group
1-800-272-2213
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
Date: July 17, 2000 /s/ J. Thomas May
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J. Thomas May, Chairman, President &
Chief Executive Officer
