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): July 31, 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 8.01 Other Events
On July 31, 2008, First Bancshares, Inc. ("Company") issued a press release
announcing that its Board of Directors had authorized the payment of a special
cash dividend of $0.10 per share on the Company's outstanding shares of common
stock. The dividend will be paid on August 29, 2008 to stockholders of record
as of August 15, 2008. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release of First Bancshares, Inc. dated July 31, 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.
FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
Date: July 31, 2008 /s/Ronald J. Walters
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Ronald J. Walters
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
EXHIBIT 99.1
First Bancshares, Inc. Declares Special Cash Dividend of $0.10 Per Share
Mountain Grove, Missouri (July 31, 2008) First Bancshares, Inc. ("Company")
(NASDAQ - FstBksh: FBSI), the holding company for First Home Savings Bank
("Bank"), announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a special
cash dividend of $0.10 per share. The dividend will be paid on August 29,
2008 to stockholders of record as of August 15, 2008.
In light of the recent concerns over financial institutions, the Company is
pleased that it maintains capital levels in excess of regulatory standards for
"well capitalized" institutions, and that it has the ability to pay a dividend
to its stockholders. The determination to pay a cash dividend follows the
Company's announcement on June 24, 2008 of a stock repurchase program, which
will expire on December 31, 2008.
President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Katzfey, commented that
"Despite an uncertain economy and in contrast to other institutions that have
scaled back dividend payments, we are very pleased to provide this payment to
our stockholders. This is a special dividend and the payment and amount of
future dividends will be predicated on the Board's assessment of the financial
condition, earnings and capital requirements of the Company."
First Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for First Home Savings Bank, a
FDIC-insured savings bank chartered by the State of Missouri that conducts
business from its home office in Mountain Grove, Missouri, ten full service
offices in Marshfield, Ava, Gainesville, Sparta, Springfield, Theodosia,
Crane, Galena, Kissee Mills and Rockaway Beach, Missouri, and a loan
origination office in Springfield, Missouri.
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. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things,
expectations of the business environment in which the Company operates,
projections of future performance, and perceived opportunities in the market.
These forward-looking statements are based upon current management
expectations and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. The
Company's actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially
from those suggested, expressed, or implied by forward-looking statements as a
result of a wide variety or range of factors and risks. Accordingly, undue
reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements. The Company
undertakes no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking
statements.
Contact: Daniel P. Katzfey, President and Chief Executive Officer (417)
926-5151
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