10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For Quarter Ended March 31, 2006 
Commission File Number 0-6253

SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 Arkansas
(State or other jurisdiction of  
incorporation or organization) 
 71-0407808  
(I.R.S. Employer
 Identification No.)
 
501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas  71601   
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

870-541-1000  
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable   

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

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 period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  S Yes £ No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 £ Large accelerated filer 
S Accelerated filer 
£ Non-accelerated filer 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.).  £ Yes S No
 
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock as of April 26, 2006 was 14,265,068.

Simmons First National Corporation
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
March 31, 2006
 
 
INDEX
 
 Page No.
   
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   

Part I: Financial Information
Item 1: Financial Statements

Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
 
ASSETS
 
 (In thousands, except share data)    
March 31,
2006 
 
 
December 31,
2005 
 
     
(Unaudited) 
       
Cash and non-interest bearing balances due from banks
 
$
89,400
 
$
75,461
 
Interest bearing balances due from banks
   
34,200
   
14,397
 
Federal funds sold
   
8,620
   
11,715
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
132,220
   
101,573
 
               
Investment securities
   
529,350
   
521,789
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
6,853
   
7,857
 
Assets held in trading accounts
   
4,646
   
4,631
 
Loans
   
1,691,020
   
1,718,107
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
(26,463
)
 
(26,923
)
Net loans
    1,664,557    
1,691,184
 
 
             
Premises and equipment
   
65,040
   
63,360
 
Foreclosed assets held for sale, net
   
1,666
   
1,540
 
Interest receivable
   
17,066
   
18,754
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
33,570
   
33,269
 
Goodwill
   
60,605
   
60,605
 
Core deposit premiums
   
4,822
   
5,029
 
Other assets
   
18,075
   
14,177
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
2,538,470
 
$
2,523,768
 

See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
3

 
Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 (In thousands, except share data)  
March 31,
2006 
 
December 31,
2005 
 
LIABILITIES
 
(Unaudited)  
      
           
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts
 
$
328,477
 
$
331,113
 
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits
    757,368    
749,925
 
Time deposits
    1,007,811    
978,920
 
Total deposits
    2,093,656    
2,059,958
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
             
under agreements to repurchase
   
91,817
   
107,223
 
Short-term debt
   
2,245
   
8,031
 
Long-term debt
   
83,093
   
87,020
 
Accrued interest and other liabilities
   
22,448
   
17,451
 
Total liabilities
    2,293,259    
2,279,683
 
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
             
Capital stock
             
Class A, common, par value $0.01 a share, authorized
             
30,000,000 shares, 14,264,144 issued and outstanding
             
at 2006 and 14,326,923 at 2005
   
143
   
143
 
Surplus
    51,380    
53,723
 
Undivided profits
   
198,287
   
194,579
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
             
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities,
             
net of income tax credits of $2,758 at 2006 and $2,615 at 2005
    (4,599 )  
(4,360
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
 
245,211
   
244,085
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 2,538,470  
$
2,523,768
 
 
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
4

Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2006
 
2005
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
INTEREST INCOME
         
Loans
 
$
30,087
 
$
25,413
 
Federal funds sold
   
175
   
327
 
Investment securities
   
4,830
   
4,574
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
100
   
119
 
Assets held in trading accounts
   
25
   
25
 
Interest bearing balances due from banks
   
297
   
196
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
   
35,514
   
30,654
 
               
INTEREST EXPENSE
             
Deposits
   
11,268
   
6,913
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
             
under agreements to repurchase
   
1,104
   
545
 
Short-term debt
   
96
   
14
 
Long-term debt
   
1,094
   
1,089
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
   
13,562
   
8,561
 
               
NET INTEREST INCOME
   
21,952
   
22,093
 
Provision for loan losses
   
1,708
   
2,221
 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
             
FOR LOAN LOSSES
   
20,244
   
19,872
 
               
NON-INTEREST INCOME
             
Trust income
   
1,367
   
1,385
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
3,763
   
3,414
 
Other service charges and fees
   
658
   
584
 
Income on sale of mortgage loans, net of commissions
   
676
   
682
 
Income on investment banking, net of commissions
   
107
   
58
 
Credit card fees
   
2,458
   
2,340
 
Premiums on sale of student loans
   
736
   
634
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
301
   
94
 
Other income
   
546
   
880
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME
   
10,612
   
10,071
 
               
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
             
Salaries and employee benefits
   
13,505
   
12,831
 
Occupancy expense, net
   
1,520
   
1,436
 
Furniture and equipment expense
   
1,418
   
1,449
 
Loss on foreclosed assets
   
33
   
48
 
Deposit insurance
    69    
73
 
Other operating expenses
   
5,580
   
5,578
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
   
22,125
   
21,415
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
   
8,731
   
8,528
 
Provision for income taxes
   
2,743
   
2,668
 
NET INCOME
 
$
5,988
 
$
5,860
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
$
0.42
 
$
0.41
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.40
 
 
See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2006
 
March 31,
2005
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
(Unaudited)
 
Net income
 
$
5,988
 
$
5,860
 
Items not requiring (providing) cash
             
Depreciation and amortization
   
1,657
   
1,344
 
Provision for loan losses
   
1,708
   
2,221
 
Net amortization (accretion) of investment securities
   
115
   
344
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(414
)
 
(112
)
Bank owned life insurance income
   
(301
)
 
(94
)
Changes in
             
Interest receivable
   
1,688
   
(1,028
)
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
1,004
   
(2,395
)
Assets held in trading accounts
   
(16
)
 
198
 
Other assets
   
(3,897
)
 
(643
)
Accrued interest and other liabilities
   
2,015
   
868
 
Income taxes payable
   
3,157
   
2,780
 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
   
12,704
   
9,343
 
               
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
             
Net originations of loans
   
24,477
   
(19,774
)
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
   
(3,130
)
 
(1,610
)
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets
   
316
   
2,859
 
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities
   
8,480
   
15,382
 
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
   
(17,700
)
 
(39,335
)
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities
   
12,230
   
13,887
 
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities
   
(10,686
)
 
(10,342
)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
   
13,987
   
(38,933
)
               
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
             
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
   
33,698
   
49,166
 
Net proceeds (repayments) of short-term debt
   
(5,786
)
 
(1,466
)
Dividends paid
   
(2,280
)
 
(2,159
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
   
 
   
562
 
Repayment of long-term debt
   
(3,927
)
 
(2,712
)
Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and
             
securities sold under agreements to repurchase
   
(15,406
)
 
(14,794
)
Repurchase of common stock, net
   
(2,343
)
 
(6,513
)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
   
3,956
   
22,084
 
               
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
   
30,647
   
(7,506
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
             
BEGINNING OF YEAR
   
101,573
   
153,731
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
 
$
132,220
 
$
146,225
 

See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
6


Simmons First National Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 
(In thousands, except share data)
 
Common
Stock
 
Surplus
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
 
Undivided
Profits
 
Total
 
                       
Balance, December 31, 2004
 
$
146
 
$
62,826
 
$
(1,124
)
$
176,374
   
238,222
 
Comprehensive income
                               
Net income
   
   
   
   
5,860
   
5,860
 
Change in unrealized depreciation on
                               
available- for-sale securities, net of income tax credit of $1,882
   
   
   
(3,138
)
 
   
(3,138
)
Comprehensive income
                           
2,722
 
Exercise of stock options - 26,080 shares
   
   
397
   
   
   
397
 
Securities exchanged under stock option plan
   
 
 
(126
)   
   
 
 
(126
) 
Repurchase of common stock - 261,500 shares
   
(2
)
 
(6,782
)
 
   
   
(6,784
)
Dividends paid - $0.15 per share
   
   
   
   
(2,159
)
 
(2,159
)
                                 
Balance, March 31, 2005 (Unaudited)
   
144
   
56,315
   
(4,262
)
 
180,075
   
232,272
 
Comprehensive income
                               
Net income
   
   
   
   
21,102
   
21,102
 
Change in unrealized depreciation on
                               
available-for-sale securities, net of income tax credit of $60
   
   
   
(98
)
 
   
(98
)
Comprehensive income
                           
21,004
 
Stock issued as bonus shares - 5,620 shares
   
   
138
   
   
   
138
 
Exercise of stock options - 80,340 shares
   
1
   
1,035
   
   
   
1,036
 
Securities exchanged under
                               
employee stock option plan
   
   
(862
)
 
   
   
(862
)
Repurchase of common stock - 109,953 shares
   
(2
)
 
(2,903
)
 
   
   
(2,905
)
Dividends paid - $0.46 per share
   
   
   
   
(6,598
)
 
(6,598
)
                                 
Balance, December 31, 2005
   
143
   
53,723
   
(4,360
)
 
194,579
   
244,085
 
Comprehensive income
                               
Net income
   
   
   
   
5,988
   
5,988
 
Change in unrealized depreciation on
                               
available-for-sale securities, net of income tax credit of $143
   
   
   
(239
)
 
   
(239
)
Comprehensive income
                           
5,749
 
Stock issued as bonus shares - 2,500 shares
   
   
73
   
   
   
73
 
Exercise of stock options - 45,980 shares
   
1
   
728
   
   
   
729
 
Securities exchanged under stock option plan
   
   
(627
)
 
   
   
(627
)
Repurchase of common stock - 89,500 shares
   
(1
)
 
(2,517
)
 
   
   
(2,518
)
Dividends paid - $0.16 per share
   
   
   
   
(2,280
)
 
(2,280
)
Balance, March 31, 2006 (Unaudited)
 
$
143
 
$
51,380
 
$
(4,599
)
$
198,287
 
$
245,211
 

See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
7

 
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

All adjustments made to the unaudited financial statements were of a normal recurring nature. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods have been made. Certain prior year amounts are reclassified to conform to current year classification. The consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2005 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of that date. The results of operations for the period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K annual report for 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

On January 1, 2006, the Company began recognizing compensation expense for stock options with the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Share-Based Payment (Revised 2004). See Note 12 - Stock Based Compensation for additional information. There have been no other significant changes to the Company’s accounting policies from the 2005 Form 10-K.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average common shares and all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.

Following is the computation of per share earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.

(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2006
 
2005
 
Net Income
 
$
5,988
 
$
5,860
 
               
Average common shares outstanding
   
14,265
   
14,451
 
Average potential dilutive common shares
   
274
   
327
 
Average diluted common shares
   
14,539
   
14,778
 
               
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.42
 
$
0.41
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.40
 
 
8

NOTE 2: ACQUISITIONS

On November 1, 2005, the Company completed a branch purchase in which Simmons First National Bank, a subsidiary of the Company, acquired from Bank of Little Rock its Southwest Little Rock, Arkansas location at 8500 Geyer Springs Road. The acquisition included approximately $3.5 million in total deposits in addition to the fixed assets used in the branch operation. No loans were involved in the transaction. As a result of this transaction, the Company recorded additional goodwill and core deposit premiums of $151,000 and $31,000, respectively.

NOTE 3: INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities that are classified as held-to-maturity and available-for-sale are as follows:
 
   
March 31, 2006 
 
December 31, 2005 
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost 
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains 
 
Gross
Unrealized (Losses) 
 
Estimated
Fair
Value 
 
Amortized
Cost 
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains 
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses) 
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Held-to-Maturity
                                         
U.S. Treasury
 
$
1,003
 
$
 
$
(17
)
$
986
 
$
1,004
 
$
 
$
(20
)
$
984
 
U.S. Government
                                                 
agencies
   
32,000
   
   
(516
)
 
31,484
   
28,000
   
   
(473
)
 
27,527
 
Mortgage-backed
                                                 
securities
   
180
   
6
   
(1
)
 
185
   
187
   
3
   
   
190
 
State and political
                                                 
subdivisions
   
113,512
   
522
   
(1,138
)
 
112,896
   
117,148
   
662
   
(1,298
)
 
116,512
 
Other securities
   
2,038
   
   
   
2,038
   
3,960
   
   
   
3,960
 
                                                   
 
 
$
148,733
 
$
528
 
$
(1,672
)
$
147,589
 
$
150,299
 
$
665
 
$
(1,791
)
$
149,173
 
                                                   
Available-for-Sale
                                                 
U.S. Treasury
 
$
10,292
 
$
 
$
(91
)
$
10,201
 
$
10,989
 
$
 
$
(102
)
$
10,887
 
U.S. Government
                                                 
agencies
   
358,598
   
25
   
(7,935
)
 
350,688
   
348,570
   
35
   
(7,615
)
 
340,990
 
Mortgage-backed
                                                 
securities
   
3,355
   
1
   
(92
)
 
3,264
   
3,392
   
9
   
(92
)
 
3,309
 
State and political
                                                 
subdivisions
   
2,120
   
19
   
   
2,139
   
3,014
   
39
   
   
3,053
 
Other securities
   
13,662
   
663
   
   
14,325
   
12,561
   
690
   
   
13,251
 
 
 
$
388,027
 
$
708
 
$
(8,118
)
$
380,617
 
$
378,526
 
$
773
 
$
(7,809
)
$
371,490
 
 
The carrying value, which approximates the fair value, of securities pledged as collateral, to secure public deposits and for other purposes, amounted to $406,211,000 at March 31, 2006 and $411,580,000 at December 31, 2005.

The book value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase amounted to $64,417,000 and $67,778,000 for March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

9


Income earned on securities for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, is as follows:
 
(In thousands)
 
 
2006
 
 
2005 
 
Taxable
             
Held-to-maturity
 
$
319
 
$
238
 
Available-for-sale
   
3,352
   
3,116
 
               
Non-taxable
             
Held-to-maturity
   
1,120
   
1,165
 
Available-for-sale
   
39
   
55
 
               
Total
 
$
4,830
 
$
4,574
 
 
Maturities of investment securities at March 31, 2006 are as follows:
 
     
Held to Maturity
   
Available for Sale
 
(In thousands)    
Amortized
Cost 
   
Fair
Value 
   
Amortized
Cost 
   
Fair
Value 
 
One year or less
 
$
19,827
 
$
19,720
 
$
114,498
 
$
113,011
 
After one through five years
   
55,619
   
55,325
   
197,210
   
192,406
 
After five through ten years
   
65,847
   
65,093
   
60,411
   
58,703
 
After ten years
   
6,331
   
6,342
   
2,246
   
2,172
 
Other securities
   
1,109
   
1,109
   
13,662
   
14,325
 
                           
Total
 
$
148,733
 
$
147,589
 
$
388,027
 
$
380,617
 
 
There were no realized gains or losses as of March 31, 2006 and 2005.

Most of the state and political subdivision debt obligations are non-rated bonds and represent small, Arkansas issues, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis.
 
10

 
NOTE 4: LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The various categories are summarized as follows:
           
 (In thousands)  
March 31,
2006
 
December 31,
2005
 
Consumer
         
Credit cards
 
$
129,833
 
$
143,058
 
Student loans
   
91,090
   
89,818
 
Other consumer
   
140,958
   
138,051
 
Real Estate
             
Construction
   
242,145
   
238,898
 
Single family residential
   
341,790
   
340,839
 
Other commercial
   
473,559
   
479,684
 
Commercial
             
Commercial
   
181,174
   
184,920
 
Agricultural
   
59,944
   
68,761
 
Financial institutions
   
16,158
   
20,499
 
Other
   
14,369
   
13,579
 
               
Total loans before allowance for loan losses
 
$
1,691,020
 
$
1,718,107
 

As of March 31, 2006, credit card loans, which are unsecured, were $129,833,000, or 7.7% of total loans versus $143,058,000, or 8.3% of total loans at December 31, 2005. The credit card loans are diversified by geographic region to reduce credit risk and minimize any adverse impact on the portfolio. Credit card loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of creditworthiness.

At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, impaired loans totaled $13,235,000 and $14,804,000, respectively. All impaired loans had either specific or general allocations within the allowance for loan losses. Allocations of the allowance for loan losses relative to impaired loans were $3,225,000 at March 31, 2006 and $3,868,000 at December 31, 2005. Approximately $122,000 and $97,000 of interest income was recognized on average impaired loans of $14,020,000 and $16,375,000 as of March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Interest recognized on impaired loans on a cash basis during the first three months of 2006 and 2005 was immaterial.
11


Transactions in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

 (In thousands)  
March 31,
2006
 
December 31,
2005
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $
26,923
  $ 26,508  
Additions
             
Provision charged to expense
   
1,708
   
2,221
 
     
28,631
   
28,729
 
Deductions
             
Losses charged to allowance, net of recoveries
             
of $691 and $657 for the first three months of
             
2006 and 2005, respectively
   
643
   
2,307
 
Reclassification of reserve related to unfunded commitments(1)
   
1,525
   
--
 
               
Balance, March 31
 
$
26,463
   
26,422
 
               
Additions
             
Provision charged to expense
         
5,305
 
               
Deductions
             
Losses charged to allowance, net of recoveries
             
of $3,159 for the last nine months of 2005
       
4,804
 
               
Balance, end of year
       
$
26,923
 
               
(1)
As of March 31, 2006, the reserve for unfunded commitments has been reclassified from the allowance for loan losses to other liabilities.

NOTE 5: GOODWILL AND CORE DEPOSIT PREMIUMS

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment. If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill impairment is indicated and goodwill is written down to its implied fair value. Subsequent increases in goodwill value are not recognized in the financial statements.

Core deposit premiums are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value.

The carrying basis and accumulated amortization of core deposit premiums (net of core deposit premiums that were fully amortized) at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, were as follows:
 
(In thousands)    
March 31,
2006 
   
December 31,
2005
 
               
Gross carrying amount
 
$
7,246
 
$
7,246
 
Accumulated amortization
   
(2,424
)
 
(2,217
)
               
Net core deposit premiums
 
$
4,822
 
$
5,029
 

Core deposit premium amortization expense recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, was $207,000 and $208,000, respectively. The Company’s estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2006 is $623,000, and for each of the following four years is: 2007 - $818,000; 2008 - $807,000; 2009 - $802,000; and 2010 - $698,000.
 
12

 
NOTE 6: TIME DEPOSITS

Time deposits include approximately $389,021,000 and $364,177,000 of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 respectively.

NOTE 7: INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following components:
 
(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2006
 
March 31,
2005
 
           
Income taxes currently payable
 
$
3,157
 
$
2,780
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(414
)
 
(112
)
               
Provision for income taxes
 
$
2,743
 
$
2,668
 
 
The tax effects of temporary differences related to deferred taxes shown on the balance sheets were:
 
(In thousands)  
March 31,
2006
 
December 31,
2006
 
           
Deferred tax assets
         
Allowance for loan losses
 
$
8,791
 
$
8,329
 
Valuation of foreclosed assets
   
74
   
74
 
Deferred compensation payable
   
1,152
   
1,109
 
FHLB advances
   
84
   
97
 
Vacation compensation
   
737
   
727
 
Loan interest
   
241
   
241
 
Available-for-sale securities
   
2,758
   
2,615
 
Other
   
216
   
363
 
     
14,053
   
13,555
 
               
Deferred tax liabilities
             
Accumulated depreciation
   
(1,000
)
 
(1,128
)
Deferred loan fee income and expenses, net
   
(698
)
 
(657
)
FHLB stock dividends
   
(779
)
 
(740
)
Goodwill and core deposit premium amortization
   
(807
)
 
(807
)
Other
   
(3,840
)
 
(3,852
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
   
(7,124
)
 
(7,184
)
               
Net deferred tax assets included in other
             
assets on balance sheets
 
$
6,929
 
$
6,371
 
 
13

 
A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate to the Company's actual income tax expense is shown below:
 
(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2006
 
March 31,
2005
 
           
Computed at the statutory rate (35%)
 
$
3,056
 
$
2,985
 
               
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
             
Tax exempt income
   
(455
)
 
(480
)
Other differences, net
   
142
   
163
 
               
Actual tax provision
 
$
2,743
 
$
2,668
 
 
NOTE 8: SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, consisted of the following components:
 
(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2006
 
December 31,
2005
 
           
Note Payable, due 2007, at a floating rate of
         
0.90% above the 30 day LIBOR rate, reset
         
monthly, unsecured
 
$
4,000
 
$
4,000
 
FHLB advances, due 2006 to 2024, 2.12% to 8.41%
             
secured by residential real estate loans
   
48,163
   
52,090
 
Trust preferred securities, due 2033,
             
fixed at 8.25%, callable in 2008 without penalty
   
10,310
   
10,310
 
Trust preferred securities, due 2033,
             
floating rate of 2.80% above the three-month LIBOR
             
rate, reset quarterly, callable in 2008 without penalty
   
10,310
   
10,310
 
Trust preferred securities, due 2033,
             
fixed rate of 6.97% through 2010, thereafter,
             
at a floating rate of 2.80% above the three-month
             
LIBOR rate, reset quarterly, callable
             
in 2010 without penalty
   
10,310
   
10,310
 
               
   
$
83,093
 
$
87,020
 
 
At March 31, 2006 the Company had Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances with original maturities of one year or less of $2.0 million with a weighted average rate of 4.79% which are not included in the above table.

The trust preferred securities are tax-advantaged issues that qualify for Tier 1 capital treatment. Distributions on these securities are included in interest expense on long-term debt. Each of the trusts is a statutory business trust organized for the sole purpose of issuing trust securities and investing the proceeds thereof in junior subordinated debentures of the Company, the sole asset of each trust. The preferred securities of each trust represent preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the respective trusts and are subject to mandatory redemption upon payment of the junior subordinated debentures held by the trust. The common securities of each trust are wholly-owned by the Company. Each trust’s ability to pay amounts due on the trust preferred securities is solely dependent upon the Company making payment on the related junior subordinated debentures. The Company’s obligations under the junior subordinated securities and other relevant trust agreements, in aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of each respective trust’s obligations under the trust securities issued by each respective trust.
 
14

 
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt at March 31, 2006 are:
 
(In thousands)    
Year
   
Annual
Maturities 
 
               
     
2006
 
$
9,234
 
     
2007
   
9,955
 
     
2008
   
9,814
 
     
2009
   
5,656
 
     
2010
   
2,326
 
 
   
Thereafter
   
46,108
 
               
 
   
Total 
 
$
83,093
 
 
NOTE 9: CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
 
The Company and/or its subsidiaries have various unrelated legal proceedings, most of which involve loan foreclosure activity pending, which, in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries. However, on October 1, 2003, an action in Pulaski County Circuit Court was filed by Thomas F. Carter, Tena P. Carter and certain related entities against Simmons First Bank of South Arkansas and Simmons First National Bank alleging wrongful conduct by the banks in the collection of certain loans. The plaintiffs are seeking $2,000,000 in compensatory damages and $10,000,000 in punitive damages. The Company has filed a Motion to Dismiss. The plaintiffs have been granted additional time to discover any evidence for litigation. At this time, no basis for any material liability has been identified. The Company and the Banks plan to vigorously defend the claims asserted in the suit.
 
NOTE 10: CAPITAL STOCK

On May 25, 2004, the Company announced the adoption by the Board of Directors of a stock repurchase program. The program authorizes the repurchase of up to 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, or 733,485 shares. Under the repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares the Company intends to repurchase. The Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted. The shares are to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or unsolicited negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions. The Company intends to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock option exercises, payment of future stock dividends and general corporate purposes.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, the Company repurchased 89,500 shares of stock under the repurchase plan with a weighted average repurchase price of $28.12 per share. Under the current stock repurchase plan, the Company can repurchase an additional 454,567 shares.
 
15


NOTE 11: UNDIVIDED PROFITS

The Company’s subsidiary banks are subject to a legal limitation on dividends that can be paid to the parent company without prior approval of the applicable regulatory agencies. The approval of the Comptroller of the Currency is required, if the total of all dividends declared by a national bank in any calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits, as defined, for that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years. Arkansas bank regulators have specified that the maximum dividend limit state banks may pay to the parent company without prior approval is 75% of current year earnings plus 75% of the retained net earnings of the preceding year. At March 31, 2006, the bank subsidiaries had approximately $10 million available for payment of dividends to the Company, without prior approval of the regulatory agencies.

The Federal Reserve Board's risk-based capital guidelines include the definitions for (1) a well-capitalized institution, (2) an adequately-capitalized institution, and (3) an undercapitalized institution. The criteria for a well-capitalized institution are: a 5% "Tier l leverage capital" ratio, a 6% "Tier 1 risk-based capital" ratio, and a 10% "total risk-based capital" ratio. As of March 31, 2006, each of the eight subsidiary banks met the capital standards for a well-capitalized institution. The Company's “total risk-based capital” ratio was 13.78% at March 31, 2006.

NOTE 12: STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

Prior to January 1, 2006, employee compensation expense under stock option plans was reported only if options were granted below market price at grant date in accordance with the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No.25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations. Because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options always equaled the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense was recognized on options granted. As stated in Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R eliminates the ability to account for stock-based compensation using APB 25 and requires that such transactions be recognized as compensation cost in the income statement based on their fair values on the measurement date, which is generally the date of the grant. The Company transitioned to fair-value based accounting for stock based compensation using a modified version of prospective application ("modified prospective application"). Under modified prospective application, as it is applicable to the Company, SFAS 123R applies to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after January 1, 2006. Additionally, compensation cost for the portion of awards for which the requisite service has not been rendered (generally referring to non-vested awards) that were outstanding as of January 1, 2006, will be recognized as the remaining requisite service is rendered during the period of and/or the periods after the adoption of SFAS 123R. The attribution of compensation cost for those earlier awards is based on the same method and on the same grant date fair values previously determined for the pro forma disclosures required for companies that did not previously adopt the fair value accounting method for stock-based employee compensation.

Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted after January 1, 2006, is based on the grant date fair value. For all awards except stock option awards, the grant date fair value is the market value per share as of the grant date. For stock option awards, the fair value is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. Additionally, there may be other factors that would otherwise have a significant effect on the value of employee stock options granted but are not considered by the model. Accordingly, while management believes that the Black-Scholes option-pricing model provides a reasonable estimate of fair value, the model does not necessarily provide the best single measure of fair value for the Company's employee stock options.
 
16

 
As a result of applying the provisions of SFAS 123R during the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company recognized additional stock-based compensation expense related to stock options of $4,210. The increase in stock-based compensation expense related to stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2006, resulted in no change in basic or diluted earnings per share.

Stock-based compensation expense totaled $14,614 and $10,404 during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all stock-based awards. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options totaled $71,897 at March 31, 2006. At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized was 1.56 years. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards was $512,996 at March 31, 2006. At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized was 1.79 years.

The following pro forma information presents net income and earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005, as if the fair value method of SFAS 123R had been applied.

   
Three Months Ended
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
March 31, 2005
 
Net income, as reported
 
$
5,860
 
Add: Stock-based employee compensation included
       
in reported net income, net of related tax effects
   
7
 
Less: Total stock-based employee compensation
       
expense determined under fair value based method
       
for all awards, net of related tax effects
   
(72)
 
Pro forma net income
 
$
5,795
 
Earnings per share:
       
Basic - as reported
 
$
0.41
 
Basic - pro forma
 
$
0.40
 
         
Diluted - as reported
 
$
0.40
 
Diluted - pro forma
 
$
0.39
 
 
The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted various stock compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and bonus stock awards. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company, upon exercise of stock options or awarding of bonus shares granted to officers and other key employees.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses various assumptions. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the valuation model. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant, and are based partially on historical experience.
 
17

 
The table below summarizes the transactions under the Company's stock option plans for the three months ended March 31, 2006:

(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercisable
Price
 
           
Outstanding, beginning of quarter
   
609
 
$
14.77
 
Granted
   
--
   
--
 
Forfeited/Expired
   
(27
)
 
13.50
 
Exercised
   
(46
)
 
15.85
 
               
Outstanding, end of quarter
   
536
 
$
14.76
 
               
Exercisable at March 31, 2006
   
522
 
$
14.52
 
 
Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2006, was $639,581. No options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006. As of March 31, 2006, there was $584,893 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.77 years.

NOTE 13: ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
(In thousands)
 
2006
 
2005
 
           
Interest paid
 
$
13,440
 
$
8,158
 
Income taxes paid
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
 
NOTE 14: CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries have made loans and other extensions of credit to directors, officers, their associates and members of their immediate families. From time to time directors, officers and their associates and members of their immediate families have placed deposits with the Company’s subsidiary banks. Such loans, other extensions of credit and deposits were made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.

NOTE 15: COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK

The Company grants agri-business, commercial and residential loans to customers throughout Arkansas, along with credit card loans to customers throughout the United States. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer's creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate.
 
18

 
At March 31, 2006, the Company had outstanding commitments to extend credit aggregating approximately $207,767,000 and $478,806,000 for credit card commitments and other loan commitments, respectively. At December 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding commitments to extend credit aggregating approximately $194,614,000 and $429,442,000 for credit card commitments and other loan commitments, respectively.

Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company, to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. The Company had total outstanding letters of credit amounting to $3,701,000 and $4,573,000 at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, with terms ranging from 90 days to three years. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 the Company’s deferred revenue under standby letter of credit agreements is approximately $11,000 and $43,000, respectively.
 
19

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

BKD, LLP
 
Certified Public Accountants
200 East Eleventh
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
 

Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders
Simmons First National Corporation
Pine Bluff, Arkansas

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION as of March 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 15, 2006, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
 
/s/ BKD, LLP
BKD, LLP
 
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
May 5, 2006
 
20

 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
 
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
Simmons First National Corporation recorded earnings of $5,988,000, or $0.41 diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2006, compared to earnings of $5,860,000, or $0.40 diluted earnings per share for same period in 2005. This represents a $128,000, or 2.2% increase in the first quarter 2006 earnings over 2005. From March 31, 2005 to March 31, 2006, diluted earnings per share increased by $0.01, or 2.5%. Return on average assets and return on average stockholders’ equity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, was 0.96% and 9.87%, compared to 0.97% and 10.04%, respectively, for the same period in 2005. On a quarter over quarter basis, the increase in earnings is primarily attributable to continued growth in the loan portfolio, an increase in non-interest income, disciplined expense control, and a reduced provision for loan losses resulting from improvements in asset quality.

Asset quality remained strong through March 31, 2006, continuing the trend of the past several quarters. The non-performing assets ratio was 62 basis points and 58 basis points at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. Non-performing loans to total loans were 52 basis points at the end of the quarter, compared to 49 basis points at December 31, 2005. The allowance for loan losses equaled 301% of non-performing loans as of March 31, 2006, compared to 319% as of year-end 2005. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans equaled 1.56% and 1.57 % as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

Annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the first quarter of 2006 were 15 basis points. Excluding credit cards, annualized net charge-offs to total loans were 7 basis points. The credit card annualized net charge-offs as a percent of the credit card portfolio were 1.07% for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, more than 400 basis points below the industry average. Credit card charge-offs increased during the fourth quarter of 2005 due to the new bankruptcy law that went into effect in October. While bankruptcy filings have declined significantly from fourth quarter highs, the Company does not expect that the first quarter results will be maintained throughout the year, but that credit card charge-offs will gradually return to a normalized level of approximately 2.50%.

Total assets for the Company at March 31, 2006, were $2.538 billion, an increase of $14.7 million, or 0.6% from December 31, 2005. Stockholders’ equity at the end of the first quarter of 2006 was $245.2 million, a $1.1million, or 0.5% increase from December 31, 2005.
 
Simmons First National Corporation is an Arkansas based financial holding company with eight community banks in Pine Bluff, Lake Village, Jonesboro, Rogers, Searcy, Russellville, El Dorado and Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Company's eight banks conduct financial operations from 82 offices, of which 80 are financial centers, located in 46 communities.
 
21

 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Overview

Management has reviewed its various accounting policies. Based on this review management believes the policies most critical to the Company are the policies associated with its lending practices including the accounting for the allowance for loan losses, treatment of goodwill, recognition of fee income, estimates of income taxes and employee benefit plans as it relates to stock options.

Loans

Loans which the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at their outstanding principal balance adjusted for any loans charged-off, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Interest income is reported on the interest method and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the estimated life of the loan. Generally, loans are placed on non-accrual status at ninety days past due and interest is considered a loss, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.

Discounts and premiums on purchased residential real estate loans are amortized to income using the interest method over the remaining period to contractual maturity, adjusted for anticipated prepayments. Discounts and premiums on purchased consumer loans are recognized over the expected lives of the loans using methods that approximate the interest method.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to income. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for potential loan losses related to specifically identified loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio that have been incurred as of period end. This estimate is based on management's evaluation of the loan portfolio, as well as on prevailing and anticipated economic conditions and historical losses by loan category. General reserves have been established, based upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories. Allowances are accrued on specific loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeds the discounted amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral. The unallocated reserve generally serves to compensate for the uncertainty in estimating loan losses, including the possibility of changes in risk ratings and specific reserve allocations in the loan portfolio as a result of the Company’s ongoing risk management system.
 
22

 
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. This includes loans that are delinquent 90 days or more, nonaccrual loans and certain other loans identified by management. Certain other loans identified by management consist of performing loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses. Specific allocations are applied when quantifiable factors are present requiring a greater allocation than that established using the classified asset approach, as defined by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Accrual of interest is discontinued and interest accrued and unpaid is removed at the time such amounts are delinquent 90 days, unless management is aware of circumstances which warrant continuing the interest accrual. Interest is recognized for nonaccrual loans only upon receipt and only after all principal amounts are current according to the terms of the contract.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of acquired subsidiaries and branches. Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 142 and No. 147 eliminated the amortization for these assets as of January 1, 2002. While goodwill is not amortized, impairment testing of goodwill is performed annually, or more frequently if certain conditions occur. The Company did not record impairment of goodwill in 2006 or 2005.

Core Deposit Premiums

Core deposit premiums are being amortized using both straight-line and accelerated methods over periods ranging from 8 to 15 years. Such assets are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value.

Fee Income

Periodic credit card fees, net of direct origination costs, are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the period the fee entitles the cardholder to use the card. Origination fees and costs for other loans are being amortized over the estimated life of the loan.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has a stock-based employee compensation plan. In December 2004, FASB issued SFAS No. 123, Share-Based Payment (Revised 2004), which requires all companies to measure compensation cost for all share-based payments (including employee stock options) at fair value. As discussed in Note 12 - Stock-Based Compensation in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report, the standard requires companies to expense the fair value of all stock options that have future vesting provisions, are modified, or are newly granted beginning on the grant date of such options. SFAS 123R became effective and was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2006.
 
23

 
ACQUISITIONS

On November 1, 2005, the Company completed a branch purchase in which Simmons First National Bank, a subsidiary of the Company, acquired from Bank of Little Rock its Southwest Little Rock, Arkansas location at 8500 Geyer Springs Road. The acquisition included approximately $3.5 million in total deposits in addition to the fixed assets used in the branch operation. No loans were involved in the transaction. As a result of this transaction, the Company recorded additional goodwill and core deposit premiums of $151,000 and $31,000, respectively.

The systems integration for the 2005 acquisition was completed on the acquisition date.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Overview

Net interest income, the Company's principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of non-interest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 37.50%.

The Company’s practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities in short-term repricing. Historically, approximately 70% of the Company’s loan portfolio and approximately 80% of the Company’s time deposits have repriced in one year or less. These historical percentages are consistent with the Company’s current interest rate sensitivity.

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $22.7 million, a decrease of $200,000, or 0.9%, from the same period in 2005. The decrease in net interest income was the result of a $5.0 million increase in interest expense offset by a $4.8 million increase in interest income.

The $5.0 million increase in interest expense primarily is the result of a 97 basis point increase in cost of funds due to competitive repricing during a higher interest rate environment, coupled with a $52.8 million increase in average interest bearing liabilities generated through internal growth. The higher interest rates accounted for a $4.6 million increase in interest expense. The most significant component of this increase was the $3.0 million increase associated with the repricing of the Company’s time deposits that resulted from time deposits that matured during the period or were tied to a rate that fluctuated with changes in market rates. As a result of this repricing, the average rate paid on time deposits increased 124 basis points from 2.31% to 3.55%. The higher level of average interest bearing liabilities resulted in a $1.0 million increase in interest expense. More specifically, the higher level of average interest bearing liabilities was the result of increases of approximately $46.6 million from internal deposit growth and $15.6 million from fed funds purchased and short-term debt, offset by a $9.4 million reduction in average long-term debt.
 
24

 
The $4.8 million increase in interest income primarily is the result of internal growth in loans along with a 73 basis point increase in yield on earning assets associated with the repricing to a higher interest rate environment. The growth in average interest earning assets resulted in a $1.4 million improvement in interest income. The higher interest rates accounted for a $3.4 million increase in interest income. More specifically, $2.6 million of the increase is associated with the repricing of the Company’s loan portfolio that resulted from loans that matured during the period or were tied to a rate that fluctuated with changes in market rates. As a result, the average rate earned on the loan portfolio increased 65 basis points from 6.56% to 7.21%.

Net Interest Margin

The Company’s net interest margin decreased 12 basis points to 4.05% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, when compared to 4.17% for the same period in 2005. This decrease in the net interest margin can be primarily attributed to the following. First, one of the Company’s higher yielding products, credit card loans, decreased approximately $12.0 million from March 31, 2005 to March 31, 2006, resulting in a negative margin impact of approximately 5 basis points. The remainder of the margin compression was due to the increase in the cost of funds resulting from deposit repricing, coupled with the effect of the flat yield curve. The Company expects to see continuing competitive pressure in deposit repricing in the short term, and anticipates slight margin compression for the remainder of 2006.

Net Interest Income Tables

Table 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest margin for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 versus March 31, 2005.

Table 1: Analysis of Net Interest Income
(FTE =Fully Taxable Equivalent)

   
Period Ended March 31,
 
($ in thousands)
 
2006
 
2005
 
           
Interest income
 
$
35,514
 
$
30,654
 
FTE adjustment
   
780
   
839
 
Interest income - FTE
   
36,294
   
31,493
 
Interest expense
   
13,562
   
8,561
 
               
Net interest income - FTE
 
$
22,732
 
$
22,932
 
               
Yield on earning assets - FTE
   
6.46
%
 
5.73
%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities
   
2.83
%
 
1.84
%
Net interest spread - FTE
   
3.63
%
 
3.89
%
Net interest margin - FTE
   
4.05
%
 
4.17
%
 
25

 
Table 2: Changes in Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Margin

   
March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2006 vs. 2005
 
       
Increase due to change in earning assets
 
$
1,382
 
Increase due to change in earning asset yields
   
3,419
 
Decrease due to change in interest bearing liabilities
   
(406
)
Decrease due to change in interest rates paid on
       
interest bearing liabilities
   
(4,595
)
         
Decrease in net interest income
 
$
(200
)
 
26

 
Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or expensed for the periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. The table also shows the average rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Non-accrual loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.

Table 3: Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
($ in thousands)  
Average
Balance
 
Income/
Expense
 
Yield/
Rate(%)
 
Average
Balance
 
Income/
Expense
 
Yield/
Rate(%)
 
                           
ASSETS
                         
Earning Assets
                         
Interest bearing balances
                         
due from banks
 
$
27,968
 
$
297
   
4.31
 
$
35,027
 
$
196
   
2.27
 
Federal funds sold
   
16,235
   
175
   
4.37
   
52,022
   
327
   
2.55
 
Investment securities - taxable
   
409,399
   
3,671
   
3.64
   
429,674
   
3,353
   
3.16
 
Investment securities - non-taxable
   
116,325
   
1,854
   
6.46
   
124,439
   
1,977
   
6.44
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
6,570
   
100
   
6.17
   
8,532
   
119
   
5.66
 
Assets held in trading accounts
   
4,632
   
25
   
2.19
   
4,234
   
25
   
2.39
 
Loans
   
1,696,855
   
30,172
   
7.21
   
1,575,329
   
25,496
   
6.56
 
Total interest earning assets
   
2,277,984
   
36,294
   
6.46
   
2,229,257
   
31,493
   
5.73
 
Non-earning assets
   
245,476
               
209,608
             
Total assets
 
$
2,523,460
             
$
2,438,865
             
                                       
LIABILITIES AND
                                     
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                     
Liabilities
                                     
Interest bearing liabilities
                                     
Interest bearing transaction
                                     
and savings accounts
 
$
747,046
 
$
2,544
   
1.38
 
$
771,301
 
$
1,635
   
0.86
 
Time deposits
   
997,156
   
8,724
   
3.55
   
926,250
   
5,278
   
2.31
 
Total interest bearing deposits
   
1,744,202
   
11,268
   
2.62
   
1,697,551
   
6,913
   
1.65
 
Federal funds purchased and
                                     
securities sold under agreement
                                     
to repurchase
   
109,299
   
1,104
   
4.10
   
98,499
   
545
   
2.24
 
Other borrowed funds
                                     
Short-term debt
   
5,744
   
96
   
6.78
   
992
   
14
   
5.72
 
Long-term debt
   
83,961
   
1,094
   
5.28
   
93,365
   
1,089
   
4.73
 
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
1,943,206
   
13,562
   
2.83
   
1,890,407
   
8,561
   
1.84
 
Non-interest bearing liabilities
                                     
Non-interest bearing deposits
   
316,178
               
296,921
             
Other liabilities
   
18,012
               
14,711
             
Total liabilities
   
2,277,396
               
2,202,039
             
Stockholders’ equity
   
246,064
               
236,826
             
Total liabilities and
                                     
stockholders’ equity
 
$
2,523,460
             
$
2,438,865
             
Net interest spread
               
3.63
               
3.89
 
Net interest margin
       
$
22,732
   
4.05
       
$
22,932
   
4.17
 
 
27

 
Table 4 shows changes in interest income and interest expense, resulting from changes in volume and changes in interest rates for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The changes in interest rate and volume have been allocated to changes in average volume and changes in average rates, in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in rates and volume.

Table 4: Volume/Rate Analysis

   
Period Ended March 31
2006 over 2005
 
(In thousands, on a fully
taxable equivalent basis)
 
Volume
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Total
 
               
Increase (decrease) in
             
               
Interest income
             
Interest bearing balances
             
due from banks
 
$
(46
)
$
147
 
$
101
 
Federal funds sold
   
(304
)
 
152
   
(152
)
Investment securities - taxable
   
(164
)
 
482
   
318
 
Investment securities - non-taxable
   
(129
)
 
6
   
(123
)
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
(29
)
 
10
   
(19
)
Assets held in trading accounts
   
2
   
(2
)
 
--
 
Loans
   
2,052
   
2,624
   
4,676
 
                     
Total
   
1,382
   
3,419
   
4,801
 
                     
Interest expense
                   
Interest bearing transaction and
                   
savings accounts
   
(53
)
 
962
   
909
 
Time deposits
   
431
   
3,015
   
3,446
 
Federal funds purchased
                   
and securities sold under
                   
agreements to repurchase
   
66
   
493
   
559
 
Other borrowed funds
                   
Short-term debt
   
78
   
4
   
82
 
Long-term debt
   
(116
)
 
121
   
5
 
                     
Total
   
406
   
4,595
   
5,001
 
Increase (decrease) in net
                   
interest income
 
$
976
 
$
(1,176
)
$
(200
)
 
28

 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

The provision for loan losses represents management's determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the current period's earnings, in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level, which is considered adequate, in relation to the estimated risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of provision to the allowance is based on management's judgment, with consideration given to the composition of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and net loan loss experience. It is management's practice to review the allowance on a quarterly basis to determine the level of provision made to the allowance after considering the factors noted above.

The provision for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, was $1.7 million, compared to the $2.2 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005. This $500,000 decrease in the provision for loan losses reflects the improvement in the Company’s asset quality from March 31, 2005 to March 31, 2006.
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME

Total non-interest income was $10.6 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, compared to $10.1 million for the same period in 2005. Non-interest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, trust fees and credit card fees. Non-interest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage loans, investment banking income, premiums on sale of student loans, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance, and gains (losses) from sales of securities.
 
Table 5 shows non-interest income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, as well as changes in 2006 from 2005.

Table 5: Non-Interest Income
 
   
Period Ended March 31
 
2006
Change from
 
(In thousands)  
2006
 
2005
 
2005
 
Trust income
 
$
1,367
 
$
1,385
 
$
(18
)
 
-1.30
%
Service charges on deposit accounts
   
3,763
   
3,414
   
349
   
10.22
 
Other service charges and fees
   
658
   
584
   
74
   
12.67
 
Income on sale of mortgage loans,
                         
net of commissions
   
676
   
682
   
(6
)
 
-0.88
 
Income on investment banking,
                         
net of commissions
   
107
   
58
   
49
   
84.48
 
Credit card fees
   
2,458
   
2,340
   
118
   
5.04
 
Premiums on sale of student loans
   
736
   
634
   
102
   
16.09
 
Bank owned life insurance income
   
301
   
94
   
207
   
220.21
 
Other income
   
546
   
880
   
(334
)
 
-37.95
 
                           
Total non-interest income
 
$
10,612
 
$
10,071
 
$
541
   
5.37
%
 
29

 
Recurring fee income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, was $8.2 million, an increase of $523,000, or 6.8% from the three-month period ended March 31, 2005. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, service charges on deposit accounts increased by $349,000 from the March 31, 2005 level, a 10.2% increase. The increase in service charges on deposit accounts for 2006 can be primarily attributed to normal growth in transaction accounts and improvement in the fee structure associated with the Company’s deposit accounts.

On April 29, 2005, the Company invested an additional $25 million in Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”). BOLI income increased by $207,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to the same period in 2005. The increase was almost entirely attributable to this purchase.

Other non-interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, was $546,000, a decrease of $334,000 over the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The decrease primarily resulted from a one-time distribution of approximately $250,000 the Company received in the first quarter of 2005 as part of the proceeds when Pulse EFT, a regional ATM switching network used by the Company, merged with Discover Financial Services. Also, a one-time $58,000 gain on sale of foreclosed assets was included in other non-interest income in the first quarter of 2005.

There were no gains or losses on sale of securities during the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
Non-interest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other expenses necessary for the operation of the Company. Management remains committed to controlling the level of non-interest expense, through the continued use of expense control measures that have been installed. The Company utilizes an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all affiliates. Based on a needs assessment of the business plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital expenditure budgets. These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management on a monthly basis. Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action intended to ensure financial goals are met. Management also regularly monitors staffing levels at each affiliate, to ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.

Non-interest expense for the three-month month period ended March 31, 2006, was $22.1 million, an increase of $710,000, or 3.3% from the same period in 2005. This increase is primarily the result of an increase in normal ongoing operating expenses and the additional expense of approximately $400,000 associated with the operation of six new financial centers opened since the first quarter of 2005. Normalizing for the expansion expenses, non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2006 increased only 1.4% over the same period of 2005.

Credit card expense for the first quarter of 2006 increased by $110,000, or 17.4% over the same period in 2005, primarily due to the Company’s travel rewards program. Accumulated travel rewards expire after 36 months. The Company has introduced several new initiatives to make its product more competitive. The key initiative has been to move as many qualifying accounts as possible from the Company’s standard VISA product to its Platinum VISA Rewards product. The Company has converted approximately 15,000 accounts, or 50% of those targeted, to its Platinum card, which now is one of the most competitive products on the market. As a result of this conversion process, the Company should experience increased travel rewards expense in 2006.
 
30

 
Table 6 below shows non-interest expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, as well as changes in 2006 from 2005.

Table 6: Non-Interest Expense
 
   
Period Ended March 31
 
2006
Change from
 
($ in thousands)
 
2006
 
2005
 
2005
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
13,505
 
$
12,831
 
$
674
   
5.25
%
Occupancy expense, net
   
1,520
   
1,436
   
84
   
5.85
 
Furniture and equipment expense
   
1,418
   
1,449
   
(31
)
 
-2.14
 
Loss on foreclosed assets
   
33
   
48
   
(15
)
 
-31.25
 
Other operating expenses
                         
Professional services
   
662
   
661
   
1
   
0.15
 
Postage
   
573
   
621
   
(48
)
 
-7.73
 
Telephone
   
471
   
458
   
13
   
2.84
 
Credit card expenses
   
742
   
632
   
110
   
17.41
 
Operating supplies
   
404
   
407
   
(3
)
 
-0.74
 
FDIC insurance
   
69
   
73
   
(4
)
 
-5.48
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
207
   
207
   
--
   
--
 
Other expense
   
2,521
   
2,592
   
(71
)
 
-2.74
 
 
                         
Total non-interest expense
 
$
22,125
 
$
21,415
 
$
710
   
3.32
%
 
LOAN PORTFOLIO

The Company's loan portfolio averaged $1.697 billion and $1.575 billion during the first three months of 2006 and 2005, respectively. As of March 31, 2006, total loans were $1.691 billion, a decrease of $27.1 million from December 31, 2005. The most significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single-family residential real estate loans).

The Company seeks to manage its credit risk by diversifying its loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral, providing an adequate allowance for loan losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process. The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose and industry and, in the case of credit card loans, which are unsecured, by geographic region. The Company seeks to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default. The Company uses the allowance for loan losses as a method to value the loan portfolio at its estimated collectible amount. Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of deteriorating credits.
 
31

 
Consumer loans consist of credit card loans, student loans and other consumer loans. Consumer loans were $361.9 million at March 31, 2006, or 21.4% of total loans, compared to $370.9 million, or 21.6% of total loans at December 31, 2005. The consumer loan decrease from December 31, 2005 to March 31, 2006 is the result of the decline in the Company’s credit card portfolio.

As a general rule, the Company’s credit card portfolio experiences seasonal fluctuations, reaching its highest level during the fourth quarter, then dropping off with paydowns to its lowest level during the first quarter. Even so, the Company continues to experience significant competitive pressure from the credit card industry. Over the last three years, the credit card portfolio has decreased by approximately $10 to $12 million per year. In order to reverse this trend, the Company has introduced new initiatives to make the product more competitive. The primary initiative is to move as many qualifying accounts as possible from a standard VISA product to a Platinum VISA Rewards product. The Platinum card compares favorably with similar products in the market, carries a low fixed interest rate of 8.95%, and offers customers competitive rewards based on their purchases. The Company has converted over 15,000 accounts, or approximately 50% of the targeted accounts, to the Platinum card. As a result of this conversion process, the Company has been able to reduce the number of closed accounts.

While the Company believes its initiatives have resulted in a slowing in the number of accounts closed, the average outstanding balance per account has decreased. The decrease in outstanding balance per account appears to be an industry-wide challenge attributable to home equity borrowings and, according to a recent national article, an increase in the use of multiple accounts per borrower. This trend has resulted in a continued decline in the Company’s outstanding credit card portfolio on a quarter over quarter basis.

As a continuation of efforts to stabilize its credit card portfolio, the Company plans to introduce an additional initiative in the second quarter of 2006. This new initiative will be a fixed rate card with no annual fee or rewards program, and will have one of the best interest rates in America. The Company believes this card compliments both its Platinum Rewards product, which is one of the best reward-based cards in the country, and its Classic VISA product.
 
Real estate loans consist of construction loans, single-family residential loans and commercial real estate loans. Real estate loans were $1.057 billion at March 31, 2006, or 62.5% of total loans, compared to the $1.059 billion, or 61.7% of total loans at December 31, 2005. Construction loans increased $3.2 million, while single-family residential loans increased by $1.0 million from December 31, 2005 to March 31, 2006. These increases are primarily due to increased loan demand in various growth areas of Arkansas.

Commercial loans consist of commercial loans, agricultural loans and loans to financial institutions. Commercial loans were $257.3 million at March 31, 2006, or 15.2% of total loans, compared to $274.2 million, or 16.0% of total loans at December 31, 2005. The commercial loan decrease is primarily due to seasonal declines in agricultural and commercial loans.
 
32

 
The amounts of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are reflected in Table 7, according to type of loan.

Table 7: Loan Portfolio

(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2006
 
December 31,
2005
 
Consumer
         
Credit cards
 
$
129,833
 
$
143,058
 
Student loans
   
91,090
   
89,818
 
Other consumer
   
140,958
   
138,051
 
Real Estate
             
Construction
   
242,145
   
238,898
 
Single family residential
   
341,790
   
340,839
 
Other commercial
   
473,559
   
479,684
 
Commercial
             
Commercial
   
181,174
   
184,920
 
Agricultural
   
59,944
   
68,761
 
Financial institutions
   
16,158
   
20,499
 
Other
   
14,369
   
13,579
 
               
Total loans before allowance for loan losses
 
$
1,691,020
 
$
1,718,107
 
 
ASSET QUALITY

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contracted terms of the loans. Impaired loans include non-performing loans (loans past due 90 days or more and nonaccrual loans) and certain other loans identified by management that are still performing.

Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due 90 days and (c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower. The subsidiary banks recognize income principally on the accrual basis of accounting. When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and no further interest is accrued. Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either: (1) when there are serious doubts regarding the collectability of principal or interest, or (2) when payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection. If a loan is determined by management to be uncollectible, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectible is then charged to the allowance for loan losses.

Credit card loans are classified as impaired when payment of interest or principal is 90 days past due. Litigation accounts are placed on nonaccrual until such time as deemed uncollectible. Credit card loans are generally charged off when payment of interest or principal exceeds 180 days past due, but are turned over to the credit card recovery department, to be pursued until such time as they are determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectible.

At March 31, 2006, impaired loans were $13.2 million compared to $14.8 million at December 31, 2005.
 
33

 
Table 8 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual and other real estate owned.

Table 8: Non-performing Assets
 
($ in thousands)
 
March 31,
2006
 
December 31,
2005
 
           
Nonaccrual loans
 
$
6,830
 
$
7,296
 
Loans past due 90 days or more
             
(principal or interest payments)
   
1,974
   
1,131
 
Total non-performing loans
   
8,804
   
8,427
 
               
Other non-performing assets
             
Foreclosed assets held for sale
   
1,666
   
1,540
 
Other non-performing assets
   
11
   
16
 
Total other non-performing assets
   
1,677
   
1,556
 
               
Total non-performing assets
 
$
10,481
 
$
9,983
 
               
Allowance for loan losses to
             
non-performing loans
   
300.58
%
 
319.48
%
Non-performing loans to total loans
   
0.52
%
 
0.49
%
Non-performing assets to total assets
   
0.41
%
 
0.40
%
Non-performing assets ratio(1)
   
0.62
%
 
0.58
%
               
(1) (Non-performing loans + foreclosed assets) / (total loans + foreclosed assets)

There was no interest income on the nonaccrual loans recorded for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
Overview
 
The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses. This allowance is created through charges to income and maintained at a sufficient level to absorb expected losses in the Company’s loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is determined monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as 1) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, 2) reviews or evaluations of the loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses, 3) trends in volume, maturity and composition, 4) off balance sheet credit risk, 5) volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals, 6) lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries, 7) national and local economic trends and conditions, 8) concentrations of credit that might affect loss experience across one or more components of the loan portfolio, 9) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff and 10) other factors and trends, which will affect specific loans and categories of loans.

As the Company evaluates the allowance for loan losses, it is categorized as follows: 1) specific allocations, 2) allocations for classified assets with no specific allocation, 3) general allocations for each major loan category and 4) miscellaneous allocations.
 
34

 
Specific Allocations

Specific allocations are made when factors are present requiring a greater reserve than would be required when using the assigned risk rating allocation. As a general rule, if a specific allocation is warranted, it is the result of an analysis of a previously classified credit or relationship. The evaluation process in specific allocations for the Company includes a review of appraisals or other collateral analysis. These values are compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance. If a loss is determined to be reasonably possible, the possible loss is identified as a specific allocation. If the loan is not collateral dependent, the measurement of loss is based on the expected future cash flows of the loan.

Allocations for Classified Assets with no Specific Allocation

The Company establishes allocations for loans rated “watch” through “doubtful” in accordance with the guidelines established by the regulatory agencies. A percentage rate is applied to each category of these loan categories to determine the level of dollar allocation.

General Allocations

The Company establishes general allocations for each major loan category. This section also includes allocations to loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans. The allocations in this section are based on a historical review of loan loss experience and past due accounts. The Company gives consideration to trends, changes in loan mix, delinquencies, prior losses, and other related information.

Miscellaneous Allocations

Allowance allocations other than specific, classified and general for the Company are included in the miscellaneous section.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

Historically, the Company has included reserves for unfunded commitments in the allowance for loan losses. As of March 31, 2006, the reserve for unfunded commitments was reclassified from the allowance for loan losses to other liabilities. This reserve will be maintained at a level sufficient to absorb losses arising from unfunded loan commitments. The adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments is determined monthly based on methodology similar to the Company’s methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses. Future net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments will be included in other non-interest expense.
 
35

 
An analysis of the allowance for loan losses is shown in Table 9.

Table 9: Allowance for Loan Losses
 
(In thousands)    
2006
   
2005 
 
               
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
26,923
 
$
26,508
 
               
Loans charged off
             
Credit card
   
593
   
1,180
 
Other consumer
   
272
   
244
 
Real estate
   
260
   
120
 
Commercial
   
209
   
1,420
 
Total loans charged off
   
1,334
   
2,964
 
               
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
             
Credit card
   
236
   
179
 
Other consumer
   
153
   
132
 
Real estate
   
198
   
30
 
Commercial
   
104
   
316
 
Total recoveries
   
691
   
657
 
Net loans charged off
   
643
   
2,307
 
Reclassification of reserve
             
related to unfunded commitments(1)
   
(1,525
)
 
--
 
Provision for loan losses
   
1,708
   
2,221
 
               
Balance, March 31
 
$
26,463
 
$
26,422
 
               
Loans charged off
             
Credit card
         
3,770
 
Other consumer
         
996
 
Real estate
         
928
 
Commercial
         
2,268
 
Total loans charged off
         
7,962
 
               
Recoveries of loans previously charged off
             
Credit card
         
653
 
Other consumer
         
504
 
Real estate
         
221
 
Commercial
         
1,780
 
Total recoveries
         
3,158
 
Net loans charged off
         
4,804
 
Provision for loan losses
       
5,305
 
               
Balance, end of year
       
$
26,923
 
               
1)
As of March 31, 2006, the reserve for unfunded commitments has been reclassified from the allowance for loan losses to other liabilities.
 
36

 
Provision for Loan Losses

The amount of provision to the allowance during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, and for the year ended December 31, 2005, was based on management's judgment, with consideration given to the composition of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and net loan loss experience. It is management's practice to review the allowance on a quarterly basis to determine the level of provision made to the allowance after considering the factors noted above.

Allocated Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company utilizes a consistent methodology in the calculation and application of its allowance for loan losses. Because there are portions of the portfolio that have not matured to the degree necessary to obtain reliable loss statistics from which to calculate estimated losses, the unallocated portion of the allowance is an integral component of the total allowance. Although unassigned to a particular credit relationship or product segment, this portion of the allowance is vital to safeguard against the imprecision inherent when estimating credit losses.

The Company’s allocation of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2006 remained relatively consistent with the allocation at December 31, 2005. However, the unallocated portion of the allowance increased approximately $1.7 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2006. This increase is primarily due to the credit quality upgrade of a significant commercial loan customer. The seasonal decline in commercial and agricultural loans during the quarter also contributed to the increase in the unallocated portion of the allowance.

The Company still has some concerns over the uncertainty of the economy and the impact of pricing in the catfish and timber industries in Arkansas; however, both industries are beginning to show signs of recovery. In addition, the Company continues to review regulatory filings and financial statements of a public utility company that was impacted by the hurricanes of August and September of 2005. Based on our analysis of loans within these business sectors, we believe the allowance for loan losses is adequate for the period ended March 31, 2006. Management actively monitors the status of these industries as they relate to the Company’s loan portfolio and makes changes to the allowance for loan losses as necessary.

An analysis of the allocation of allowance for loan losses is presented in Table 10.

Table 10: Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

   
March 31, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
 
($ in thousands)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
% of
loans(1)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
% of
loans(1)
 
                   
Credit cards
 
$
3,813
   
7.7%
 
$
3,887
   
8.3%
 
Other consumer
   
1,234
   
13.7%
 
 
1,158
   
13.3%
 
Real estate
   
9,661
   
62.5%
 
 
9,870
   
61.7%
 
Commercial
   
3,919
   
15.2%
 
 
5,857
   
15.9%
 
Other
   
--
   
0.9%
 
 
--
   
0.8%
 
Unallocated
   
7,836
         
6,151
       
                           
Total
 
$
26,463
   
100.0%
 
$
26,923
   
100.0%
 
                           
(1) Percentage of loans in each category to total loans
 
37

 
DEPOSITS

Deposits are the Company’s primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through the Company’s network of 80 financial centers as of March 31, 2006. The Company offers a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits. The Company’s core deposits consist of all deposits excluding time deposits of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits. As of March 31, 2006, core deposits comprised 78.9% of the Company’s total deposits.

The Company continually monitors the funding requirements at each affiliate bank along with competitive interest rates in the markets it serves. Because the Company has a community banking philosophy, managers in the local markets establish the interest rates being offered on both core and non-core deposits. This approach ensures that the interest rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet each affiliate bank’s respective funding requirements. The Company believes it is paying a competitive rate, when compared with pricing in those markets. As a result, year-to-date internal deposit growth was $33.7 million. More specifically, total deposits as of March 31, 2006, were $2.094 billion versus $2.060 billion on December 31, 2005.

The Company manages its interest expense through deposit pricing and does not anticipate a significant change in total deposits. The Company believes that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through promotion and deposit pricing if it experiences accelerated loan demand or other liquidity needs beyond its current projections. The Company began to utilize brokered deposits during 2005 as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs.

Total time deposits increased approximately $28.9 million to $1.008 billion at March 31, 2006, from $978.9 million at December 31, 2005. Non-interest bearing transaction accounts decreased $2.6 million to $328.5 million at March 31, 2006, compared to $331.1 million at December 31, 2005. Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts were $757.4 million at March 31, 2006, a $7.4 million increase compared to $750.0 million on December 31, 2005. The Company had $51.3 million and $50.7 million of brokered deposits at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

LONG-TERM DEBT

During the three month period ended March 31, 2006, the Company decreased long-term debt by $3.9 million, or 4.5% from December 31, 2005. This decrease is primarily the result of scheduled principal pay downs on FHLB long-term advances.
 
38

 
CAPITAL

Overview
 
At March 31, 2006, total capital reached $245.2 million. Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company - the book value of assets in excess of liabilities. At March 31, 2006, the Company’s equity to asset ratio was 9.66% compared to 9.67% at year-end 2005.

Capital Stock

At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting held on March 30, 2004, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation reducing the par value of the Class A Common Stock from $1.00 to $0.01 and eliminating the authority of the Company to issue Class B common stock, Class A Preferred Stock and Class B Preferred Stock.

Stock Repurchase

On May 25, 2004, the Company announced the adoption by the Board of Directors of a stock repurchase program. The program authorizes the repurchase of up to 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, or 733,485 shares. Under the repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares the Company intends to repurchase. The Company may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted. The shares are to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or unsolicited negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions. The Company intends to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock option exercises, payment of future stock dividends and general corporate purposes.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, the Company repurchased 89,500 shares of stock under the repurchase plan with a weighted average repurchase price of $28.12 per share. Under the current stock repurchase plan, the Company can repurchase an additional 454,567 shares.

Cash Dividends

The Company declared cash dividends on its common stock of $0.16 per share for the first three months of 2006 compared to $0.15 per share for the first three months of 2005. In recent years, the Company increased dividends no less than annually and presently plans to continue with this practice.

Parent Company Liquidity

The primary sources for payment of dividends by the Company to its shareholders and the share repurchase plan are the current cash on hand at the parent company plus the future dividends received from the eight affiliate banks. Payment of dividends by the eight affiliate banks is subject to various regulatory limitations. Reference is made to the Liquidity and Market Risk Management discussions of Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk for additional information regarding the parent company’s liquidity.
 
39


Risk Based Capital

The Company’s subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). As of March 31, 2006, the Company meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, the subsidiaries were well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and subsidiaries must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institutions’ categories.
 
40

 
The Company's risk-based capital ratios at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, are presented in table 11.

Table 11: Risk-Based Capital

($ in thousands)
 
March 31,
2006
 
December 31,
2005
 
           
Tier 1 capital
         
Stockholders’ equity
 
$
245,211
 
$
244,085
 
Trust preferred securities
   
30,000
   
30,000
 
Intangible assets
   
(65,084
)
 
(65,278
)
Unrealized loss on available-
   
 
       
for-sale securities
   
4,599
   
4,360
 
               
Total Tier 1 capital
   
214,726
   
213,167
 
               
Tier 2 capital
             
Qualifying unrealized gain on
             
available-for-sale equity securities
   
317
   
338
 
Qualifying allowance for loan losses
   
21,536
   
21,811
 
               
Total Tier 2 capital
   
21,853
   
22,149
 
               
Total risk-based capital
 
$
236,579
 
$
235,316
 
               
Risk weighted assets
 
$
1,716,446
 
$
1,739,771
 
               
Assets for leverage ratio
 
$
2,465,348
 
$
2,475,428
 
               
Ratios at end of period
             
Leverage ratio
   
8.71
%
 
8.61
%
Tier 1 capital
   
12.51
%
 
12.25
%
Total risk-based capital
   
13.78
%
 
13.53
%
               
Minimum guidelines
             
Leverage ratio
   
4.00
%
 
4.00
%
Tier 1 capital
   
4.00
%
 
4.00
%
Total risk-based capital
   
8.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
41

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this quarterly report may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period(s) or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foresee,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “intend,” future or conditional verb tenses, and variations or negatives of such terms. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those relating to the Company’s future growth, revenue, assets, asset quality, profitability and customer service, critical accounting policies, net interest margin, non-interest revenue, market conditions related to the Company’s stock repurchase program, allowance for loan losses, the effect of certain new accounting standards on the Company’s financial statements, income tax deductions, credit quality, the level of credit losses from lending commitments, net interest revenue, interest rate sensitivity, loan loss experience, liquidity, capital resources, market risk, earnings, effect of pending litigation, acquisition strategy, legal and regulatory limitations and compliance and competition.

We caution the reader not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this Report in that actual results could differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, due to a variety of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the Company’s operating or expansion strategy, availability of and costs associated with obtaining adequate and timely sources of liquidity, the ability to maintain credit quality, possible adverse rulings, judgments, settlements and other outcomes of pending litigation, the ability of the Company to collect amounts due under loan agreements, changes in consumer preferences, effectiveness of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategies, laws and regulations affecting financial institutions in general or relating to taxes, the effect of pending or future legislation, the ability of the Company to repurchase its Common Stock on favorable terms and other risk factors. Other relevant risk factors may be detailed from time to time in the Company’s press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Report.
 
42

 
Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

Parent Company

The Company has leveraged its investment in subsidiary banks and depends upon the dividends paid to it, as the sole shareholder of the subsidiary banks, as a principal source of funds for dividends to shareholders, stock repurchase and debt service requirements. At March 31, 2006, undivided profits of the Company's subsidiaries were approximately $138 million, of which approximately $10 million was available for the payment of dividends to the Company without regulatory approval. In addition to dividends, other sources of liquidity for the Company are the sale of equity securities and the borrowing of funds.

Banking Subsidiaries

Generally speaking, the Company's banking subsidiaries rely upon net inflows of cash from financing activities, supplemented by net inflows of cash from operating activities, to provide cash used in investing activities. Typical of most banking companies, significant financing activities include: deposit gathering; use of short-term borrowing facilities, such as federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements; and the issuance of long-term debt. The banks' primary investing activities include loan originations and purchases of investment securities, offset by loan payoffs and investment maturities.

Liquidity represents an institution's ability to provide funds to satisfy demands from depositors and borrowers, by either converting assets into cash or accessing new or existing sources of incremental funds. A major responsibility of management is to maximize net interest income within prudent liquidity constraints. Internal corporate guidelines have been established to constantly measure liquid assets, as well as relevant ratios concerning earning asset levels and purchased funds. The management and board of directors of each bank subsidiary monitor these same indicators and make adjustments as needed. At March 31, 2006, each subsidiary bank was within established guidelines and total corporate liquidity remains strong. At March 31, 2006, cash and cash equivalents, trading and available-for-sale securities and mortgage loans held for sale were 20.7% of total assets, as compared to 19.2% at December 31, 2005.

Liquidity Management

The objective of the Company’s liquidity management is to access adequate sources of funding to ensure that cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers are met in an orderly and timely manner. Sources of liquidity are managed so that reliance on any one funding source is kept to a minimum. The Company’s liquidity sources are prioritized for both availability and time to activation.
 
The Company’s liquidity is a primary consideration in determining funding needs and is an integral part of asset/liability management. Pricing of the liability side is a major component of interest margin and spread management. Adequate liquidity is a necessity in addressing this critical task. There are six primary and secondary sources of liquidity available to the Company. The particular liquidity need and timeframe determine the use of these sources.
 
43

 
The first source of liquidity available to the Company is Federal funds. Federal funds, primarily from downstream correspondent banks, are available on a daily basis and are used to meet the normal fluctuations of a dynamic balance sheet. In addition, the Company and its affiliates have approximately $86 million in Federal funds lines of credit from upstream correspondent banks that can be accessed, when needed. In order to ensure availability of these upstream funds, the Company has a plan for rotating the usage of the funds among the upstream correspondent banks, thereby providing approximately $40 million in funds on a given day. Historical monitoring of these funds has made it possible for the Company to project seasonal fluctuations and structure its funding requirements on month-to-month basis.

A second source of liquidity is the retail deposits available through the Company’s network of affiliate banks throughout Arkansas. Although this method can be somewhat of a more expensive alternative to supplying liquidity, this source can be used to meet intermediate term liquidity needs.

Third, the Company’s affiliate banks have lines of credits available with the Federal Home Loan Bank. While the Company uses portions of those lines to match off longer-term mortgage loans, the Company also uses those lines to meet liquidity needs. Approximately $395 million of these lines of credit are currently available, if needed.

Fourth, the Company uses a laddered investment portfolio that ensures there is a steady source of intermediate term liquidity. These funds can be used to meet seasonal loan patterns and other intermediate term balance sheet fluctuations. Approximately 72% of the investment portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. The Company also uses securities held in the securities portfolio to pledge when obtaining public funds.

The fifth source of liquidity is the ability to access large deposits from both the public and private sector to fund short-term liquidity needs.

Finally, the Company has established a $5 million unsecured line of credit with a major commercial bank that could be used to meet unexpected liquidity needs at both the parent company level as well as at any affiliate bank.
 
The Company believes the various sources available are ample liquidity for short-term, intermediate-term and long-term liquidity.

Market Risk Management

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates. The Company has risk management policies to monitor and limit exposure to market risk. In asset and liability management activities, policies are in place designed to minimize structural interest rate risk. The measurement of market risk associated with financial instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting on- and off-balance-sheet transactions are aggregated, and the resulting net positions are identified.
 
44

 
Interest Rate Sensitivity

Interest rate risk represents the potential impact of interest rate changes on net income and capital resulting from mismatches in repricing opportunities of assets and liabilities over a period of time. A number of tools are used to monitor and manage interest rate risk, including simulation models and interest sensitivity gap analysis. Management uses simulation models to estimate the effects of changing interest rates and various balance sheet strategies on the level of the Company’s net income and capital. As a means of limiting interest rate risk to an acceptable level, management may alter the mix of floating and fixed-rate assets and liabilities, change pricing schedules and manage investment maturities during future security purchases.

The simulation models incorporate management’s assumptions regarding the level of interest rates or balance changes for indeterminate maturity deposits for a given level of market rate changes. These assumptions have been developed through anticipated pricing behavior. Key assumptions in the simulation models include the relative timing of prepayments, cash flows and maturities. In addition, the impact of planned growth and anticipated new business is factored into the simulation models. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the models cannot precisely estimate net interest income or precisely predict the impact of a change in interest rates on net income or capital. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors.
 
45

 
Table A below presents the Company’s interest rate sensitivity position at March 31, 2006. This analysis is based on a point in time and may not be meaningful because assets and liabilities are categorized according to contractual maturities, repricing periods and expected cash flows rather than estimating more realistic behaviors, as is done in the simulation models. Also, this analysis does not consider subsequent changes in interest rate level or spreads between asset and liability categories.
 
Table A: Interest Rate Sensitivity

   
Interest Rate Sensitivity Period
 
(In thousands, except ratios)  
0-30
Days
 
31-90
Days
 
91-180
Days
 
181-365
Days
 
1-2
Years
 
2-5
Years
 
Over 5
Years
   
Total
 
                                   
Earning assets
                                 
Short-term investments
 
$
42,820
 
$
--
 
$
--
 
$
--
 
$
--
 
$
--
 
$
--
 
$
42,820
 
Assets held in trading
                                                 
accounts
   
4,646
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
4,646
 
Investment securities
   
4,686
   
13,946
   
30,805
   
81,443
   
87,751
   
159,829
   
150,890
   
529,350
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
6,853
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
6,853
 
Loans
   
561,085
   
133,356
   
256,486
   
227,821
   
269,434
   
230,003
   
12,835
   
1,691,020
 
                                                   
Total earning assets
   
620,090
   
147,302
   
287,291
   
309,264
   
357,185
   
389,832
   
163,725
   
2,274,689
 
                                                   
Interest bearing liabilities
                                                 
Interest bearing transaction
                                                 
and savings deposits
   
395,815
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
72,311
   
216,932
   
72,310
   
757,368
 
Time deposits
   
93,539
   
133,457
   
235,626
   
325,612
   
190,360
   
29,217
   
--
   
1,007,811
 
Short-term debt
   
94,062
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
--
   
94,062
 
Long-term debt
   
10,886
   
1,415
   
4,087
   
5,434
   
10,020
   
16,788
   
34,463
   
83,093
 
Total interest bearing
                                                 
liabilities
   
594,302
   
134,872
   
239,713
   
331,046
   
272,691
   
262,937
   
106,773
   
1,942,334
 
                                                   
Interest rate sensitivity Gap
 
$
25,788
 
$
12,430
 
$
47,578
 
$
(21,782
)
$
84,494
 
$
126,895
 
$
56,952
 
$
332,355
 
Cumulative interest rate
                                                 
sensitivity Gap
 
$
25,788
 
$
38,218
 
$
85,796
 
$
64,014
 
$
148,508
 
$
275,403
 
$
332,355
       
Cumulative rate sensitive asset
                                                 
to rate sensitive liabilities
   
104.3
%
 
105.2
%
 
108.9
%
 
104.9
%
 
109.4
%
 
115.0
%
 
117.1
%
     
Cumulative Gap as a % of
                                                 
earning assets
   
1.1
%
 
1.7
%
 
3.8
%
 
2.8
%
 
6.5
%
 
12.1
%
 
14.6
%
     
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in 15 C.F.R. 240.13a-15(e) or 15 C.F.R. 240.15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of evaluation.
 
46

 
Part II: Other Information

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There has not been any material change in the risk factors disclosure from that contained in the Company’s 2005 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
(a) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities. The following transactions are sales of unregistered shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company which were issued to executive and senior management officers upon the exercise of rights granted under (i) the Simmons First National Corporation Incentive and Non-qualified Stock Option Plan (ii) the Simmons First National Corporation Executive Stock Incentive Plan, or (iii) the Simmons First National Corporation Executive Stock Incentive Plan - 2001. No underwriters were involved and no underwriter's discount or commissions were involved. Exemption from registration is claimed under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 as private placements. The Company received cash or exchanged shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock as the consideration for the transactions.
 
Identity(1) 
 
Date of Sale
 
Number
of Shares
 
Price(2)
 
Type of Transaction
               
 
1 Officer
 
January, 2006
 
2,400
 
23.78
 
Incentive Stock Option
2 Officers
 
February, 2006
 
2,400
 
10.56
 
Incentive Stock Option
2 Officers
 
February, 2006
 
1,140
 
12.22
 
Incentive Stock Option
5 Officers
 
February, 2006
 
980
 
16.00
 
Incentive Stock Option
4 Officers
 
February, 2006
 
1,600
 
22.63
 
Incentive Stock Option
3 Officers
 
March, 2006
 
900
 
10.56
 
Incentive Stock Option
2 Officers
 
March, 2006
 
500
 
12.22
 
Incentive Stock Option
1 Officer
 
March, 2006
 
27,000
 
13.50
 
Incentive Stock Option
1 Officer
 
March, 2006
 
400
 
15.65
 
Incentive Stock Option
12 Officers
 
March, 2006
 
1,760
 
16.00
 
Incentive Stock Option
9 Officers
 
March, 2006
 
5,300
 
22.63
 
Incentive Stock Option
1 Officer
 
March, 2006
 
1,600
 
29.00
 
Incentive Stock Option
                 

(1)
The transactions are grouped to show sales of stock based upon exercises of rights by officers of the registrant or its subsidiaries under the stock plans, which occurred at the same price during a calendar month.
   
(2)
The per share price paid for incentive stock options represents the fair market value of the stock as determined under the terms of the Plan on the date the incentive stock option was granted to the officer. The price paid and numbers of shares issued have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the 50% stock dividend paid on December 6, 1996 and the two for one stock split on May 1, 2003.
 
47

 
(c)
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. The Company made the following purchases of its common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2006:
 
Period
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
 
Maximum
Number of
Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans
 
                   
January 1 - January 31
   
75,300
   
28.06
   
75,300
   
468,767
 
February 1 - February 28
   
7,000
   
28.36
   
7,000
   
461,767
 
March 1 - March 31
   
7,200
   
28.52
   
7,200
   
454,567
 
                           
Total
   
89,500
 
$
28.12
 
 
89,500
   
 
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.
Description
   
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
3.2
Amended By-Laws of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 31, 2005 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.1
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Robert A. Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.2
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.3
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated note held by Simmons First Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
 
48

 
10.4
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Robert A. Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.5
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.6
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated note held by Simmons First Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.7
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware and each of J. Thomas May, Barry L. Crow and Robert A. Fehlman as administrative trustees, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.8
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2003, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as guarantee trustee, with respect to Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.9
Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 16, 2003, among the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, with respect to the junior subordinated note held by Simmons First Capital Trust IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
10.10
Long-Term Executive Incentive Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2005, by and between the Company and J. Thomas May (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 0-6253)).
 
49

 
14
Code of Ethics, dated December 2003, for CEO, CFO, controller and other accounting officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-6253)).
   
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - J. Thomas May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.*
   
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Robert A. Fehlman, Chief Financial Officer.*
   
32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - J. Thomas May, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.*
   
32.2
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Robert A. Fehlman, Chief Financial Officer.*
 
* Filed herewith.
 
 
50

 

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 thereunto duly authorized.


SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Registrant)
 

Date: May 5, 2006
 
/s/ J. Thomas May
   
J. Thomas May
   
Chairman and
   
Chief Executive Officer
     
     
     
Date:May 5, 2006
 
/s/ Robert A. Fehlman
   
Robert A. Fehlman
   
Executive Vice President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
51