UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 6, 2008
FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Missouri 000-22842 43-1654695
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
142 East First Street, Mountain Grove, Missouri 65711
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (417) 926-5151
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions.
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Principal Officers.
(c) On November 10, 2008, First Bancshares, Inc. ("Company") and First Home
Savings Bank ("Bank") issued a press release announcing the appointment of
Thomas M. Sutherland, Chairman of the Company's and Bank's Boards of
Directors, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank. Mr.
Sutherland has served as Chairman of the Board of the Company's and Bank's
Boards of Directors since 2005 and served as Interim Chief Executive Officer
from October 28, 2008. Mr. Sutherland is 56 years old and is the first cousin
of R.J. Breidenthal who serves as a Director of the Company and the Bank.
The Company also announced that it had appointed Lannie E. Crawford to
serve as President of the Company and the Bank. Mr. Crawford has served as
the Company's and the Bank's interim President since October 28, 2008 and
prior to his appointment as interim President served as the Bank's Senior Vice
President. Mr. Crawford joined the Bank in November 2007 and has more than 30
years of experience with financial institutions. Mr. Crawford is 58 years old.
There are no arrangements or understandings with either Mr. Sutherland or
Mr. Crawford and any other persons pursuant to which they were selected as
officers. In addition, Messrs. Sutherland and Crawford are not a party to any
transaction with the Company that would require disclosure under Item 404(a)
of Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation S-K.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
99.1 News Release of First Bancshares, Inc. dated November 10, 2008.
SIGNATURES
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 hereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 10, 2008 FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
/s/ Thomas M. Sutherland
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Thomas M. Sutherland
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 99.1
News Release Dated November 10, 2008
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND RESULTS OF ANNUAL MEETING
Mountain Grove, Missouri (November 10, 2008) First Bancshares, Inc. (The
Nasdaq Stock Market LLC - FstBksh: "FBSI") (the "Company"), the parent company
of First Home Savings Bank, Mountain Grove, Missouri ("Bank"), today announced
the appointment of Thomas M. Sutherland, the Chairman of the Board of the
Company and the Bank, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank
effective November 6, 2008. Mr. Sutherland has served as Chairman of the
Board of the Company's and Bank's Boards of Directors since 2005.
The Company also announced that on November 6, 2008 it had also appointed
Lannie E. Crawford, as President of the Company and the Bank. Mr. Crawford
joined the Bank in November 2007 and has more than 30 years of experience with
financial institutions. Mr. Crawford served as Senior Vice President and
Regional Manager of Sun Security Bank, Mountain Grove, Missouri from 2003
until November 2007.
Messrs. Sutherland and Crawford had served in these positions on an interim
basis since the resignation of Daniel P. Katzfey on October 28, 2008.
The Company also announced that at its Annual Meeting of Shareholders that was
held on November 6, 2008 the shareholders approved the re-election of D. Mitch
Ashlock and Thomas M. Sutherland to the Company's Board of Directors for terms
that expire in 2011.
First Home Savings Bank is an FDIC-insured savings bank chartered by the State
of Missouri that conducts business from its home office in Mountain Grove,
Missouri and ten full service branch facilities in Springfield, Marshfield,
Ava, Gainesville, Sparta, Theodosia, Crane, Galena, Kissee Mills and Rockaway
Beach, Missouri.
At September 30, 2008, First Bancshares, Inc. had consolidated total assets of
$244.0 million and stockholders' equity of $27.3 million.
Forward-looking statements:
Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 and are made pursuant to the safe harbors of the PSLRA. Any such
forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and
are therefore qualified by First Bancshares, Inc.'s cautionary statements
contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, but not limited to Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Accordingly, these factors
should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and undue
reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company undertakes no
responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
For additional information contact Thomas M. Sutherland at (417) 926-5151.