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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[X] Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 or

[  ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from             to            

Commission file number 1-12991

BancorpSouth, Inc.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Mississippi   64-0659571

 
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)    
     
One Mississippi Plaza    
201 South Spring Street    
Tupelo, Mississippi   38804

 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(662) 680-2000


(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     
    Name of Each Exchange on
Title of Each Class   Which Registered

 
Common stock, $2.50 par value
Common stock purchase rights
Guarantee of 8.15% Preferred Securities
of BancorpSouth Capital Trust I
  New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common stock, $2.50 par value
Common stock purchase rights
Guarantee of 8.15% Preferred Securities of BancorpSouth Capital Trust I


(Title of Class)

(Cover Page Continued on Next Page)

 


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(Continued from Cover Page)

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendments to this Form 10-K. [X]

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [X] No [  ]

     The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on June 30, 2003 was approximately $1,543,000,000, based on the last reported sale price per share of the Registrant’s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2003.

     As of February 27, 2004, the Registrant had outstanding 77,696,771 shares of Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement used in connection with Registrant’s 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held April 28, 2004, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

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PART I
ITEM 1. – BUSINESS
ITEM 2. – PROPERTIES
ITEM 3. – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 4. – SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
PART II
ITEM 5. – MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
ITEM 6. – SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 7. – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 7A. – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 8. – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 9. – CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
ITEM 9A. – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART III
ITEM 10. – DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
ITEM 11. – EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12. – SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
ITEM 13. – CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 14. – PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
PART IV
ITEM 15. – EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EX-10.Q CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
EX-11 COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS
EX-21 SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
EX-23 CONSENT OF KPMG LLP
EX-31.1 RULE 13A-14 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO
EX-31.2 RULE 13A-14 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO
EX-32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CEO
EX-32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF THE CFO


Table of Contents

BANCORPSOUTH, INC.
FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003
CONTENTS

         
PART I        
Item 1.   Business   4
Item 2.   Properties   22
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings   23
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   23
PART II        
Item 5.   Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters   23
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data   25
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   27
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   42
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   44
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   75
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures   75
PART III        
Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant   76
Item 11.   Executive Compensation   78
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters   79
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions   79
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services   79
PART IV        
Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K   79

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PART I

ITEM 1. – BUSINESS.

GENERAL

     BancorpSouth, Inc. (the “Company”) is a bank holding company incorporated in 1982, with commercial banking and financial services operations in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. Its principal subsidiary is BancorpSouth Bank (the “Bank”). At December 31, 2003, the Company and its subsidiaries had total assets of approximately $10.31 billion and total deposits of approximately $8.60 billion. The Company’s principal office is located at One Mississippi Plaza, 201 South Spring Street, Tupelo, Mississippi 38804 and its telephone number is (662) 680-2000.

     The Company’s Internet website address is www.bancorpsouth.com. The Company makes available free of charge through its website its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s Internet website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

     The Bank has its principal office in Tupelo, Lee County, Mississippi, and conducts a general commercial banking and trust business through 246 offices in 128 municipalities or communities in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. The Bank has grown through the acquisition of other banks and insurance companies, the purchase of assets from federal regulators and through the opening of new branches and offices.

     The Bank and its subsidiaries provide a range of financial services to individuals and small-to-medium size businesses. The Bank operates investment services, consumer finance, credit insurance and insurance agency subsidiaries which engage in investment brokerage services, consumer lending, credit insurance sales and sales of other insurance products. The Bank’s trust department offers a variety of services including personal trust and estate services, certain employee benefit accounts and plans, including individual retirement accounts, and limited corporate trust functions.

     The Company has registered the trademarks “BancorpSouth,” both typed form and design, and “Bank of Mississippi,” both typed form and design, with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The trademark “BancorpSouth” will expire in 2011, and “Bank of Mississippi” will expire in 2010, unless the Company extends these trademarks for additional 10 year periods. Registrations of trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office generally may be renewed and continue indefinitely, provided that the Company continues to use these trademarks and files appropriate maintenance and renewal documentation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at times required by the federal trademark laws and regulations.

     At December 31, 2003, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately 4,000 full-time equivalent employees. The Company and its subsidiaries are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements and employee relations are considered to be good.

COMPETITION

     Vigorous competition exists in all major areas where the Company is engaged in business. The Bank competes for available loans and depository accounts with state and national commercial banks as well as savings and loan associations, insurance companies, credit unions, money market mutual funds, automobile finance companies and financial services companies. None of these competitors is dominant in the entire area served by the Bank.

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     The principal areas of competition in the banking industry center on a financial institution’s ability and willingness to provide credit on a timely and competitively priced basis, to offer a sufficient range of deposit and investment opportunities at a competitive price and maturity, and to offer personal and other services of sufficient quality and at competitive prices. The Company and its subsidiaries believe they can compete effectively in all these areas.

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

     The following is a brief summary of the regulatory environment in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate and is not designed to be a complete discussion of all statutes and regulations affecting such operations, including those statutes and regulations specifically mentioned herein.

     The Company is a bank holding company and is registered as such under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “Bank Holding Company Act”) with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) and is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve. The Company is required to file annual reports with the Federal Reserve and such other information as it may require. The Federal Reserve may also conduct examinations of the Company. According to Federal Reserve Board policy, bank holding companies are expected to act as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to support each such subsidiary. This support may be required at times when a bank holding company may not be able to provide such support.

     The Bank is incorporated under the banking laws of the State of Mississippi and is subject to the applicable provisions of Mississippi banking laws and the laws of various states in which we operate, as well as federal law. The Bank is subject to the supervision of the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance and to regular examinations by that department. Deposits in the Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and, therefore, the Bank is subject to the provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and to examination by the FDIC. FDIC regulations require that management report annually on its responsibility for preparing its institution’s financial statements, and establishing and maintaining an internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting and compliance with designated laws and regulations concerning safety and soundness. The Bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve.

     The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”) permits, among other things, the acquisition by bank holding companies of savings associations, irrespective of their financial condition, and increased the deposit insurance premiums for banks and savings associations. FIRREA also provides that commonly controlled federally insured financial institutions must reimburse the FDIC for losses incurred by the FDIC in connection with the default of another commonly controlled financial institution or in connection with the provision of FDIC assistance to such a commonly controlled financial institution in danger of default. Reimbursement liability under FIRREA is superior to any obligations to shareholders of such federally insured institutions (including a bank holding company such as the Company if it were to acquire another federally insured financial institution), arising as a result of their status as shareholders of a reimbursing financial institution.

     The Company and the Bank are subject to the provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”). This statute provides for increased funding for the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund and expands the regulatory powers of federal banking agencies to permit prompt corrective actions to resolve problems of insured depository institutions through the regulation of banks and their affiliates, including bank holding companies. Its provisions are designed to minimize the potential loss to depositors and to FDIC insurance funds if financial institutions default on their obligations to depositors or become in danger of default. Among other things, FDICIA provides a framework for a system of supervisory actions based primarily on the capital levels of financial institutions. FDICIA also provides for a risk-based deposit insurance premium structure. The FDIC charges an annual assessment for the insurance of deposits based on the risk a particular institution poses to its deposit insurance fund. While most of the Company’s deposits are in the Bank Insurance Fund, certain other of the Company’s deposits which were acquired from thrifts over the years remain in the Savings Association Insurance Fund.

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     The Company is required to comply with the risk-based capital guidelines established by the Federal Reserve and with other tests relating to capital adequacy that the Federal Reserve adopts from time to time. See Note 20 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for a discussion of the Company’s capital amounts and ratios.

     The Company is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. There are various legal limitations on the extent to which the Bank may extend credit, pay dividends or otherwise supply funds to the Company or its affiliates. In particular, the Bank is subject to certain restrictions imposed by federal law on any extensions of credit to the Company or, with certain exceptions, other affiliates.

     The primary source of funds for dividends paid to the Company’s shareholders is dividends paid to the Company by the Bank. Various federal and state laws limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to the Company without regulatory approval. Under Mississippi law, the Bank must obtain written approval of the Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance prior to paying any dividend on the Bank’s common stock. Under FDICIA, the Bank may not pay any dividends, if after paying the dividend, it would be undercapitalized under applicable capital requirements. The FDIC also has the authority to prohibit the Bank from engaging in business practices that the FDIC considers to be unsafe or unsound, which, depending on the financial condition of the Bank, could include the payment of dividends.

     In addition, the Federal Reserve has the authority to prohibit the payment of dividends by bank holding companies if their actions constitute unsafe or unsound practices. In 1985, the Federal Reserve issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends by bank holding companies, which outlined the Federal Reserve’s view that a bank holding company that is experiencing earnings weaknesses or other financial pressures should not pay cash dividends that exceed its net income, that are inconsistent with its capital position or that could only be funded in ways that weaken its financial health, such as by borrowing or selling assets. The Federal Reserve indicated that, in some instances, it may be appropriate for a bank holding company to eliminate its dividends.

     In September 1994, the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (“IBBEA”) was signed into law. IBBEA permits adequately capitalized and managed bank holding companies to acquire control of banks in states other than their home states, subject to federal regulatory approval, without regard to whether such a transaction is prohibited by the laws of any state. IBBEA permits states to continue to require that an acquired bank must have been in existence for a certain minimum time period that may not exceed five years. A bank holding company may not, following an interstate acquisition, control more than 10% of the nation’s total amount of bank deposits or 30% of bank deposits in the relevant state (unless the state enacts legislation to raise the 30% limit). States retain the ability to adopt legislation to effectively lower the 30% limit. Federal banking regulators may approve merger transactions involving banks located in different states, without regard to laws of any state prohibiting such transactions; provided, however, that mergers may not be approved with respect to banks located in states that, prior to June 1, 1997, enacted legislation prohibiting mergers by banks located in such state with out-of-state institutions. Federal banking regulators may permit an out-of-state bank to open new branches in another state if such state has enacted legislation permitting interstate branching. Affiliated institutions are authorized to accept deposits for existing accounts, renew time deposits and close and service loans for affiliated institutions without being deemed an impermissible branch of the affiliate.

     The Community Reinvestment Act of 1997 (“CRA”) and its implementing regulations are intended to encourage regulated financial institutions to meet the credit needs of their local community or communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe and sound operation of such financial institutions. The regulations provide that the appropriate regulatory authority will assess CRA reports in connection with applications for establishment of domestic branches, acquisitions of banks or mergers involving bank holding companies. An unsatisfactory CRA rating may serve as a basis to deny an application to acquire or establish a new bank, to establish a new branch or to expand banking services. At December 31, 2003, the Company had a “satisfactory” CRA rating.

     The federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the “GLBA”) was signed into law on November 12, 1999. Under the GLBA, banks are no longer prohibited by the Glass-Steagall Act from associating with a company engaged principally in securities activities. The GLBA also permits bank holding companies to elect to become a

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“financial holding company,” which would expand the powers of a bank holding company. Financial holding company powers relate to financial activities that are determined by the Federal Reserve to be financial in nature, incidental to an activity that is financial in nature or complementary to a financial activity (provided that the complementary activity does not pose a safety and soundness risk). The GLBA itself defines certain activities as financial in nature, including lending activities, underwriting and selling insurance, providing financial or investment advice, underwriting, dealing and making markets in securities and merchant banking. In order to qualify as a financial holding company, a bank holding company’s depository subsidiaries must be both well-capitalized and well-managed and must have at least a satisfactory rating under the CRA. The bank holding company must also declare its intention to become a financial holding company to the Federal Reserve and certify that its depository subsidiaries meet the capitalization and management requirements. The GLBA also provides for minimum federal standards of privacy to protect the confidentiality of the personal financial information of customers and to regulate use of such information by financial institutions. A bank holding company that does not elect to become a financial holding company remains subject to the Bank Holding Company Act. Management believes that the Company currently meets the requirements to make an election to become a financial holding company under the GLBA. The Company has not elected to become a financial holding company, but may do so in the future.

     On October 26, 2001, President Bush signed into law the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”). Among its other provisions, the USA Patriot Act requires each financial institution: (i) to establish an anti-money laundering program; (ii) to establish due diligence policies, procedures and controls with respect to its private banking accounts and correspondent banking accounts involving foreign individuals and certain foreign banks; and (iii) to avoid establishing, maintaining, administering or managing correspondent accounts in the United States for, or on behalf of, foreign banks that do not have a physical presence in any country. The USA Patriot Act also requires that financial institutions must follow certain minimum standards to verify the identity of customers, both foreign and domestic, when a customer opens an account. In addition, the USA Patriot Act contains a provision encouraging cooperation among financial institutions, regulatory authorities and law enforcement authorities with respect to individuals, entities and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities.

     The Equal Credit Opportunity Act requires non-discrimination in the provision of banking services. The applicable federal enforcement agencies have recently cited institutions for red-lining (refusing to extend credit to residents of a specific geographic area known to be comprised predominantly of minorities) or reverse red-lining (extending credit to minority applicants on terms less favorable than those offered to non-minority applicants). Violations can result in the assessment of substantial civil penalties.

     The Bank’s insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the insurance regulatory authorities and applicable laws and regulations of the states in which they operate.

     The Bank’s investment services subsidiary is a registered adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, is regulated by the SEC and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers.

     On July 30, 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) was signed into law. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act represents a comprehensive revision of laws affecting corporate governance, accounting obligations and corporate reporting. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is applicable to all companies with equity or debt securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In particular, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act establishes: (i) new requirements for audit committees, including independence, expertise and responsibilities; (ii) additional responsibilities regarding financial statements for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the reporting company; (iii) new standards for auditors and regulation of audits; (iv) increased disclosure and reporting obligations for the reporting company and their directors and executive officers; and (v) new and increased civil and criminal penalties for violation of the securities laws.

     In addition, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory proposals that would have an impact on the operation of bank holding companies and their bank and nonbank subsidiaries. It is impossible to predict

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whether or in what form these proposals may be adopted in the future and, if adopted, what their effect will be on the Company.

LENDING ACTIVITIES

     The Company’s lending activities include both commercial and consumer loans. Loan originations are derived from a number of sources including real estate broker referrals, mortgage loan companies, direct solicitation by the Company’s loan officers, existing depositors and borrowers, builders, attorneys, walk-in customers and, in some instances, other lenders. The Company has established systematic procedures for approving and monitoring loans that vary depending on the size and nature of the loan and applies these procedures in a disciplined manner.

Commercial Lending

     The Bank offers a variety of commercial loan services including term loans, lines of credit, equipment and receivable financing and agricultural loans. A broad range of short-to-medium term commercial loans, both secured and unsecured, are made available to businesses for working capital (including inventory and receivables), business expansion (including acquisition and development of real estate and improvements), and the purchase of equipment and machinery. At times, the Company also makes construction loans to real estate developers for the acquisition, development and construction of residential subdivisions.

     Commercial loans are granted based on the borrower’s ability to generate cash flow to support its debt obligations and other cash related expenses. A borrower’s ability to repay commercial loans is substantially dependent on the success of the business itself and on the quality of its management. As a general practice, the Bank takes as collateral a security interest in any available real estate, equipment, inventory, receivables or other personal property, although such loans may also be made infrequently on an unsecured basis. Generally, the Bank requires personal guaranties of its commercial loans to offset the risks associated with such loans.

     The Bank has had very little exposure as an agricultural lender. Crop production loans have been either fully supported by the collateral and financial strength of the borrower, or else a 90% loan guaranty has been obtained through the Farmers Home Administration on such loans.

Residential Consumer Lending

     A portion of the Bank’s lending activities consists of the origination of fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans secured by owner-occupied property located in the Bank’s primary market areas. Home mortgage lending is unique in that a broad geographic territory may be serviced by originators working from strategically placed offices either within the Bank’s traditional banking facilities or from affordable storefront locations in commercial buildings. In addition, the Bank offers construction loans, second mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit.

     The Bank finances the construction of individual, owner-occupied houses on the basis of written underwriting and construction loan management guidelines. First mortgage construction loans are made to solvent and competent contractors on both a pre-sold and a “speculation” basis. Such loans are also made to qualified individual borrowers and are generally supported by a take-out commitment from a permanent lender. The Bank makes residential construction loans to individuals who intend to erect owner occupied housing on a purchased parcel of real estate. The construction phase of these loans has certain risks, including the viability of the contractor, the contractor’s ability to complete the project and changes in interest rates.

     In most cases, the Bank sells its mortgage loans with terms of 15 years or more in the secondary market and maintains the right to service those loans. The sale to the secondary market allows the Bank to manage the interest rate risks related to such lending operations. This brokerage arrangement allows the Bank to accommodate its clients’ demands while eliminating the interest rate risk for the 15 to 30 year period generally associated with such loans. Generally, after the sale of a loan, the Bank’s only involvement is to act as a servicing agent. In certain cases, the Bank may be required to repurchase mortgage loans upon which customers have defaulted that were

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previously sold in the secondary market if these loans did not meet the underwriting standards of the entity that purchased the loans. These loans would be held by the Bank in its mortgage loan portfolio.

     In most cases, the Bank requires title, fire, extended casualty insurance and, where required by applicable regulations, flood insurance to be obtained by the borrower. The Bank maintains its own errors and omissions insurance policy to protect against loss in the event of failure of a mortgagor to pay premiums on fire and other hazard insurance policies. Mortgage loans originated by the Bank customarily include a “due on sale” clause giving the Bank the right to declare a loan immediately due and payable in the event, among other matters, that the borrower sells or otherwise disposes of the real property subject to a mortgage. In general, the Bank enforces due on sales clauses. Borrowers are typically permitted to refinance or repay loans at their option without penalty.

Non-Residential Consumer Lending

     Non-residential consumer loans made by the Bank include loans for automobiles, recreation vehicles, boats, personal (secured and unsecured) and deposit account secured loans. In addition, the Bank provides federally insured or guaranteed student loans to students at universities and community colleges in the Bank’s market areas. The Bank also conducts various indirect lending activities through established retail companies in its market areas. Indirect lending activities have been declining as a result of the Company’s decision to reduce its exposure to indirect automobile sales financing by allowing its portfolio of such loans to decline. We expect this decline in indirect lending activities to continue. Non-residential consumer loans are attractive to the Bank because they typically have a shorter term and carry higher interest rates than that charged on other types of loans. Non-residential consumer loans, however, do pose additional risks of collectability when compared to traditional types of loans granted by commercial banks such as residential mortgage loans.

     The Bank also issues credit cards solicited on the basis of applications received through referrals from the Bank’s branches and other marketing efforts. The Bank generally has a small portfolio of credit card receivables outstanding. Credit card lines are underwritten using conservative credit criteria, including past credit history and debt-to-income ratios, similar to the credit policies applicable to other personal consumer loans. The Bank believes that its historical credit card losses have been well below industry norms.

     Consumer loans are granted based on employment and financial information solicited from prospective borrowers as well as credit records collected from various reporting agencies. Financial stability of the borrower and credit history are the primary factors to be considered. The availability of collateral is also a factor considered in making such a loan. The Bank seeks collateral that can be assigned and has good marketability with a clearly adequate margin of value. The geographic area of the borrower is another consideration, with preference given to borrowers in the Bank’s primary market areas.

OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES

     The Bank’s consumer finance subsidiary extends consumer loans to individuals and entities that may not satisfy the Bank’s lending standards and operates in 41 offices located in 39 communities in Mississippi and Tennessee.

     The Bank’s insurance service subsidiary serves as agents in the sale of title insurance, commercial lines of insurance and a full line of property and casualty, life, health and employee benefits products and services and operates in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana.

     The Bank’s investment services subsidiary provides brokerage, investment advisory and asset management services and operates in certain communities in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana.

     See Note 21 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Report for financial information about each segment of the Company, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.

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ASSET QUALITY

     Management seeks to maintain a high quality of assets through conservative underwriting and sound lending practices. Management intends to follow this policy even though it may result in foregoing the funding of higher yielding loans. While there is no assurance that the Company will not suffer losses on its loans, management believes that the Company has adequate underwriting and loan administration policies in place and personnel to manage the associated risks prudently.

     In an effort to maintain the quality of the loan portfolio, management seeks to minimize higher risk types of lending. Undesirable loans include loans to provide initial equity and working capital to new businesses with no other capital strength, loans secured by unregistered stock, loans for speculative transactions in stock, land or commodity markets, loans to borrowers or the taking of collateral outside the Company’s primary market areas, loans dependent on secondary liens as primary collateral and non-recourse loans. To the extent risks are identified, additional precautions are taken in order to reduce the Company’s risk of loss. Commercial loans entail certain additional risks since they usually involve large loan balances to single borrowers or a related group of borrowers, resulting in a more concentrated loan portfolio. Further, since payment of these loans is usually dependent upon the successful operation of the commercial enterprise, the risk of loss with respect to these loans may increase in the event of adverse conditions in the economy.

     The Board of Directors of the Bank focuses much of its efforts and resources, and that of the Bank’s management and lending officials, on loan review and underwriting policies. Loan status and monitoring is handled through the Bank’s Loan Administration Department. Weak financial performance is identified and monitored using past due reporting, the internal loan rating system, loan review reports, the various loan committee functions, and periodic Asset Quality Rating Committee meetings. Senior loan officers have established a review process with the objective of quickly identifying, evaluating and initiating necessary corrective action for substandard loans. The results of loan reviews are reported to the Audit Committee of both the Company’s and the Bank’s Board of Directors. This process is an integral element of the Bank’s loan program. Nonetheless, management maintains a cautious outlook in anticipating the potential effects of uncertain economic conditions (both locally and nationally) and the possibility of more stringent regulatory standards.

RECENT ACQUISITIONS

     On May 15, 2003, certain assets of WMS, L.L.C. (“WMS”), an independent insurance agency headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that operated under the name of Wright & Percy Insurance, were acquired by BancorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the Bank (“BancorpSouth Insurance”). Consideration paid to complete this transaction consisted of 426,309 shares of the Company’s common stock in addition to cash paid to WMS in the aggregate amount of approximately $9,711,000. Based on the performance of WMS over the three years following the completion of this transaction, the Company may have to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $8,584,000 in cash to WMS in three annual installments. The operations of Wright & Percy Insurance became a part of BancorpSouth Insurance. This transaction was accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the results of operations have been included since the date of acquisition. This acquisition was not material to the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

     On August 1, 2003, Ramsey, Krug, Farrell & Lensing, Inc. (“RKF&L”), an independent insurance agency headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, merged with and into the Bank. Subsequent to the merger, the operations of RKF&L became a part of BancorpSouth Insurance. Consideration paid to complete this transaction consisted of 473,918 shares of the Company’s common stock in addition to cash paid to RKF&L shareholders in the aggregate amount of approximately $10,028,000. Based on the performance of RKF&L over the three years following the completion of this transaction, the Company may have to pay an additional aggregate amount of up to $7,633,000 in a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock to RKF&L shareholders in three annual installments. This transaction was accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the results of operations have been included since the date of acquisition. This acquisition was not material to the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

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SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION

     Set forth in this section is certain selected statistical information relating to the Company’s business.

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity; Interest Rates and Interest Differential

     See “Item 7. — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations — Net Interest Revenue” included herein for information regarding the distribution of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity, and interest rates and interest differential.

Analysis of Changes in Effective Interest Differential

     See “Item 7. — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations — Net Interest Revenue” included herein for information regarding the analysis of changes in effective interest differential.

Investment Portfolio

Held-to-Maturity Securities

     The following table shows the amortized cost of held-to-maturity securities at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001:

                           
      December 31
     
      2003   2002   2001
     
 
 
              (In thousands)        
U. S. Treasury securities
  $ 7,315     $ 28,406     $ 23,034  
U. S. Government agency securities
    869,732       895,681       798,887  
Taxable obligations of states and political subdivisions
    14,383       15,749       12,154  
Tax exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions
    151,694       184,226       201,343  
Other securities
    48,867       69,313       75,045  
 
   
     
     
 
 
TOTAL
  $ 1,091,991     $ 1,193,375     $ 1,110,463  
 
   
     
     
 

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     The following table shows the maturities and weighted average yields as of the end of the latest period for the investment categories presented above:

                                         
    December 31, 2003
   
            U.S.                        
    U.S.   Government   States &           Weighted
    Treasury   Agency   Political   Other   Average
    Securities   Securities   Subdivisions   Securities   Yield
   
 
 
 
 
            (Dollars in thousands)        
Period to Maturity:
                                       
Maturing within one year
  $ 1,998     $ 201,617     $ 20,427     $ 20,071       3.78 %
Maturing after one year but within five years
    5,317       583,204       54,098       28,796       4.20 %
Maturing after five years but within ten years
          84,911       39,360             7.01 %
Maturing after ten years
                52,192             7.16 %
 
   
     
     
     
         
TOTAL
  $ 7,315     $ 869,732     $ 166,077     $ 48,867          
 
   
     
     
     
         

     The yield on tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions has been adjusted to a taxable equivalent basis using a 35% tax rate.

Available-for-Sale Securities

     The following table shows the book value of available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001:

                           
      December 31
     
      2003   2002   2001
     
 
 
              (In thousands)        
U. S. Treasury securities
  $ 217,396     $ 332     $ 7,383  
U. S. Government agency securities
    1,515,506       1,377,508       821,607  
Taxable obligations of states and political subdivisions
    9,367       10,481       13,007  
Tax exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions
    156,753       173,772       164,800  
Other securities
    90,668       80,079       76,394  
 
   
     
     
 
 
TOTAL
  $ 1,989,690     $ 1,642,172     $ 1,083,191  
 
   
     
     
 

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     The following table shows the maturities and weighted average yields as of the end of the latest period for the investment categories presented above:

                                         
    December 31, 2003
   
            U.S.                        
    U.S.   Government   State &           Weighted
    Treasury   Agency   Political   Other   Average
    Securities   Securities   Subdivisions   Securities   Yield
   
 
 
 
 
            (Dollars in thousands)        
Period to Maturity:
                                       
Maturing within one year
  $     $ 104,230     $ 13,109     $ 43,000       4.85 %
Maturing after one year but within five years
    321       1,210,577       42,638       40,090       3.59 %
Maturing after five years but within ten years
    217,075       123,932       41,384       283       4.10 %
Maturing after ten years
          76,767       68,989       7,295       5.49 %
 
   
     
     
     
         
TOTAL
  $ 217,396     $ 1,515,506     $ 166,120     $ 90,668          
 
   
     
     
     
         

     The yield on tax-exempt obligations of states and political subdivisions has been adjusted to a taxable equivalent basis using a 35% tax rate. See “Item 7. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Financial Condition – Securities and Other Earning Assets” included herein for more information regarding the Company’s securities portfolio.

Loan Portfolio

     The Company’s loans are widely diversified by borrower and industry. The following table shows the composition of loans by collateral type of the Company at December 31 for the years indicated. See “Item 7. – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Financial Condition – Loans” included herein for more information regarding the Company’s loan portfolio.

                                         
    December 31
   
    2003   2002   2001   2000   1999
   
 
 
 
 
                    (In thousands)                
Commercial & agricultural
  $ 743,286     $ 716,891     $ 691,463     $ 757,885     $ 712,799  
Consumer & installment
    533,755       727,083       865,188       1,065,324       1,197,277  
Real estate mortgage
    4,738,715       4,650,455       4,248,467       4,027,751       3,444,172  
Lease financing
    227,918       311,769       291,116       288,884       258,811  
Other
    23,583       29,070       30,811       21,238       12,984  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Total gross loans
  $ 6,267,257     $ 6,435,268     $ 6,127,045     $ 6,161,082     $ 5,626,043  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 

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Maturity Distribution of Loans

     The maturity distribution of the Company’s loan portfolio is one factor in management’s evaluation by collateral type of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. The following table shows the maturity distribution of loans net of unearned discount of the Company as of December 31, 2003:

                         
    One Year   One to   After
    or Less   Five Years   Five Years
   
 
 
            (In thousands)        
Commercial & agricultural
  $ 511,196     $ 216,108     $ 11,928  
Consumer & installment
    367,091       155,187       8,565  
Real estate mortgages
    3,259,059       1,377,763       76,042  
Lease financing
    156,751       66,266       3,657  
Other
    16,219       6,857       378  
 
   
     
     
 
Total Loans, net of unearned discount
  $ 4,310,316     $ 1,822,181     $ 100,570  
 
   
     
     
 

Sensitivity of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates

     The interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s loan portfolio is important in the management of effective interest differential. The Company attempts to manage the relationship between the interest rate sensitivity of its assets and liabilities to produce an effective interest differential that is not significantly impacted by the level of interest rates. The following table shows the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s loans net of unearned discount as of December 31, 2003:

                 
    December 31, 2003
   
    Fixed   Variable
    Rate   Rate
   
 
    (In thousands)
Loan Portfolio
         Due after one year
  $ 1,279,399     $ 643,352