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The First Bancshares, Inc. announces receipt of shareholder approval of merger

The First Bancshares, Inc. announces receipt of shareholder approval of merger

HATTIESBURG, Miss., October 22, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The First Bancshares, Inc. (“The First”) (NYSE: FBMS), the holding company for The First Bank (www.thefirstbank.com), today announced that the previously announced merger between The First and Renasant Corporation (“Renasant”) have been approved by their shareholders pursuant to the agreement and plan of merger dated July 29, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”). Completion of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.

About The First Bancshares, Inc.

The First Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the parent company of The First Bank. Founded in 1996, First Bank has branches in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. The Company’s shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol FBMS. Information can be found on the company’s website: www.thefirstbank.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this release that are not historical in nature or do not relate to current facts are, and are hereby identified as, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provided for in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on, among other things, The First’s management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy and Renasant and The First. Words and expressions such as “may”, “approximately”, “continue”, “should”, “expects”, “predicts”, “anticipates”, “is likely”, “looking forward”, “looking forward”, ” believes.” , “will”, “intends”, “estimates”, “strategy”, “plan”, “could”, “potential”, “possible” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The First cautions readers that forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including with respect to their timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated Results vary. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following possibilities: the occurrence of an event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or both parties to terminate the merger agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be brought against Renasant or The First; and failure to obtain required regulatory approvals (and the risk that such approvals could result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the anticipated benefits of the business combination transaction) or any of the other conditions to the Company to perform combination transaction on time or not at all; the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the business combination transaction will not be realized as expected or at all due to, among other things, the effects or issues arising from the integration of the two companies or the strength of the economy and competitive factors in the areas in which Renasant and The First are doing business; the possibility that completion of the business combination transaction could be more expensive than expected; Diversion of management attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; possible adverse reactions or changes in business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the business combination transaction; changes in Renasant’s stock price prior to the completion of the business combination transaction; and other factors that may affect future results of Renasant, The First and the combined company. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in Renasant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, The First’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31st. 2023 and in other documents that Renasant and The First file with the SEC and which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.