Mississippi

The First Bancshares in Hattiesburg, Miss., has named the president of the University of Southern Mississippi to its board.

Pinnacle Bancorp in Central City, Neb., has agreed to buy Woodhaven National Bank in Fort Worth, Texas.

Two Nebraska mutuals that share a name, Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, have agreed to merge.

Western Nebraska Bank in Curtis will buy a branch in Paxton, Neb., from Pony Express Community Bank.

Planters Holding in Indianola, Miss., has agreed to buy Covenant Financial in Clarksdale, Miss.

Trustmark in Jackson, Miss., reported a dip in second-quarter earnings on shrinking profit margins and declining yields on earning assets.

Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., reported lower second-quarter profit, citing higher incentive pay for employees and lower yields on both loans and securities.

BancorpSouth in Tupelo, Miss., reported higher second-quarter profit, as an increase in loan volume offset lower yields on loans and leases.

BankFirst Capital in Columbus, Miss., has agreed to buy Newton County Bancorp. in Newton, Miss.

BancorpSouth in Tupelo, Miss., has again extended the deadline to complete its acquisitions of Central Community in Temple, Texas, and Ouachita Bancshares in Monroe, La.

Equitable Financial in Grand Island, Neb., said its depositors and stockholders have approved its plan to convert from a mutual thrift to a fully stock-owned company.

Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss., reported lower profit as low oil prices stymied loan growth in the energy sector.

Community Trust Bank in Ruston, La., has bought four branches in Houston from Hancock Holding in Gulfport, Miss.

Premier Bancshares in Omaha, Neb., has agreed to buy Farmers Bank and Trust in Nebraska City.

Biloxi, Miss. — Keesler Federal Credit Union here announced it has paid out a loan interest rebate and deposit bonus dividend of about $3.4 million to its members.

Dan Rollins' ability to have a BSA-related consent order removed and get two acquisitions back on track could embolden more big community banks to pursue deals next year.

The Mississippi company is hopeful examiners will recognize progress made on Bank Secrecy Act compliance, including a much bigger staff and enhanced systems. If all goes well, BancorpSouth could have a consent order lifted, paving the way for it to refile applications for two acquisitions it hopes to complete next year.

Renasant Corp. in Tupelo, Miss., has agreed to buy Heritage Financial Group in Albany, Ga., for roughly $258 million.

John Hairston, set to become the Mississippi company's sole CEO, said Carl Chaney was not forced out as co-CEO. Still, he said the departure allows Hancock to streamline operations and become more efficient.

John Hairston will stay in the newly combined role, while Carl Chaney plans to retire on Dec. 31. Hancock has been pressed by Wall Street in recent years to get more aggressive cutting costs after buying Whitney Bank.