The First Bancshares Acquires Heritage Southeast Bancorporation

Southern Bancorp, Inc. Acquires Ozarks Heritage Financial Group and Legacy Bank & Trust

January 5, 2026

Financial Services

Southern Bancorp, Inc. has closed its acquisition of Ozarks Heritage Financial Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Legacy Bank & Trust, a $1.9 billion asset CDFI headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. The deal creates a nearly $5 billion asset community development financial institution and expands Southern Bancorp’s branch footprint across Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Heritage Bancshares to Acquire Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company

December 13, 2024

Financial Services

Heritage Bancshares, Inc. (Heritage Bank) and Fidelity Kansas Bankshares, Inc. jointly announced the signing of a stock purchase agreement under which Heritage Bancshares will acquire Fidelity State Bank and Trust Company. Following closing, Fidelity will be merged into Heritage Bank as the surviving entity, which is expected in Q2 2025 subject to customary approvals.

Renasant to Merge With The First Bancshares

October 22, 2024

Financial Services

Renasant Corporation and The First Bancshares announced they have received all necessary regulatory approvals to complete the proposed merger. The companies expect to close the transaction on April 1, 2025, following shareholder approval previously obtained in October 2024.

First Bancorp Acquires GrandSouth Bancorporation

January 1, 2023

Financial Services

First Bancorp (parent of First Bank) completed its acquisition of GrandSouth Bancorporation (the parent of GrandSouth Bank) effective January 1, 2023 in an all-stock merger (0.91 shares of First Bancorp per GrandSouth share). The deal expands First Bank's presence in South Carolina by adding GrandSouth's eight branches and is expected to accelerate First Bancorp's South Carolina growth, creating a combined company with approximately $12 billion in assets and 118 branches.

The First Bancshares Acquires Beach Bancorp, Inc.

April 26, 2022

Financial Services

The First Bancshares, Inc. (The First) entered into and completed a definitive agreement to acquire Beach Bancorp, Inc., the parent of Beach Bank, in an all‑stock transaction valued at approximately $116.7 million based on First Bancshares’ April 25, 2022 closing price. Beach Bank — which operates seven branches across the Florida panhandle and Tampa markets — was merged into The First Bank, expanding The First’s footprint in Northwest Florida and providing an entry into the Tampa market.

VyStar Credit Union Acquires Heritage Southeast Bank

March 31, 2021

Financial Services

VyStar Credit Union signed a Definitive Purchase and Assumption Agreement to acquire Heritage Southeast Bank (HSB), a state-chartered bank headquartered in Jonesboro, Georgia. The deal will expand VyStar's branch network and membership in Georgia and is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, bringing VyStar's assets to approximately $12.5 billion when finalized.