Edgar Filing: CITIZENS HOLDING CO /MS/

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Form 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

x	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 000-25221

CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

MISSISSIPPI

64-0666512

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)


521 Main Street, Philadelphia, MS		39350
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 601-656-4692

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of Each Class		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $.20 par value		The NASDAQ Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨ No x

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. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

As of June 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock, $.20 par value, held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $83,363,979 based on the closing sale price as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market for such date (the exchange on which the registrant’s common stock was listed on June 30, 2008).

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


Class		Outstanding at March 11, 2009
Common stock, $.20 par value		4,857,996 Shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of Citizens Holding Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 are incorporated by reference into Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Portions of Citizens Holding Company’s definitive proxy statement with respect to its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

FORM 10-K

INDEX


		PAGE
PART I

ITEM 1.	BUSINESS	2
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	9
ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	21
ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES	22
ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	24
ITEM 4.	SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS	24

PART II

ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	24
ITEM 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA	25
ITEM 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	25
ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	25
ITEM 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	25
ITEM 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	25
ITEM 9A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	26
ITEM 9A(T).	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	26
ITEM 9B	OTHER INFORMATION	26

PART III

ITEM 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	27
ITEM 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	27
ITEM 12.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS	27
ITEM 13.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	28
ITEM 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	28

PART IV

ITEM 15.	EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES	29

SIGNATURES		31

CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

FORM 10-K

PART I

In addition to historical information, this report contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements which are based on management’s beliefs, plans, expectations, assumptions and on information currently available to management. The words “may,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate” and similar expressions used in this report that do not relate to historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this report, including, but not limited to, statements found in Item 1, “Business,” and in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Citizens Holding Company (the “Company”) notes that a variety of factors could cause its actual results or experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations described or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operation, performance, development and results of the business of the Company and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia, Mississippi (the “Bank”), include, but are not limited to, the following:

•

the risk of adverse changes in business conditions in the banking industry generally and in the specific markets in which the Company operates;

•

changes in the legislative and regulatory environment that negatively impact the Company and the Bank through increased operating expenses;

•

increased competition from other financial institutions;

•

the impact of technological advances;

•

expectations about the movement of interest rates, including actions that may be taken by the Federal Reserve Board in response to changing economic conditions;

•

changes in asset quality and loan demand;

•

expectations about overall economic strength and the performance of the economy in the Company’s market area; and

•

other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements subsequent to the date on which they are made. Please also refer to Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for a detailed discussion of the risks related to the Company and the Bank in particular and the banking industry generally.

Except as otherwise indicated herein, the information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is as of March 11, 2009.

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

BACKGROUND

The Company is a one-bank holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Mississippi on February 16, 1982, at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Bank. The Company held 97.86% of the outstanding shares of the Bank on December 31, 2006. On December 19, 2006, the shareholders of the Bank approved a one-for-one thousand (1 for 1,000) reverse stock split. Holders of fractional shares of Bank stock after the reverse stock split received cash for such fractional shares. As a result of the reverse stock split, which was effective on January 2, 2007, the Company became the sole shareholder of the Bank.

The Bank was opened on February 8, 1908 as The First National Bank of Philadelphia. In 1917, the Bank surrendered its national charter and obtained a state charter, at which time the name of the Bank was changed to The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia, Mississippi. At December 31, 2008, the Bank was the largest bank headquartered in Neshoba County, Mississippi, with total assets of $765,372,285 and total deposits of $546,946,046. For more information regarding the assets, revenue and profits of the Company, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

The principal executive offices of both the Company and the Bank are located at 521 Main Street, Philadelphia, Mississippi 39350, and the main telephone number is (601) 656-4692. All references hereinafter to the activities or operations of the Company reflect the Company’s activities or operations through the Bank.

OPERATIONS

Through its ownership of the Bank, the Company engages in a wide range of commercial and personal banking activities, including accepting demand deposits, savings and time deposit accounts, making secured and unsecured loans, issuing letters of credit, originating mortgage loans, and providing personal and corporate trust services. The Company also provides certain services that are closely related to commercial banking such as credit life insurance and title insurance for its loan customers.

Revenues from the Company’s lending activities constitute the largest component of the Company’s operating revenues. Revenue from loan interest and fees made up 62.1% of gross revenues in 2008, 63.2% in 2007 and 67.8% in 2006. Such lending activities include commercial, real estate, installment (direct and indirect) and credit card loans. The Company’s primary lending area is East Central Mississippi, specifically Neshoba, Newton, Leake, Scott, Attala, Lauderdale, Oktibbeha, Winston and Kemper counties and contiguous counties. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company entered the southern Mississippi market with the opening of a branch office in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, which is located in Forrest and Lamar Counties. On a very limited basis, the Company extends out-of-area credit only to borrowers who are considered to be low risk. The Company is not dependent upon any single customer or small group of customers, and it has no foreign operations.

The Company’s eleven county market is mainly rural, with Hattiesburg, population 50,233, and Meridian, population 38,314, being the largest cities. Agriculture and some light industry comprise a significant portion of the economy of this area. The largest employer in the Company’s service area is the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Their schools, manufacturing plants and their main source of income, The Pearl River Resort (the “Resort”), generate a significant number of jobs in the area. The Resort and its related services employ approximately 3,300 people within the Company’s market.

The Company has historically made, and intends to continue to make, most types of real estate loans, including, but not limited to, single and multi-family housing, farm, residential and commercial construction and commercial real estate loans. Historically, approximately 77.2% of the Company’s loan portfolio has been attributed to real estate lending. Another 9.9% of the Company’s loan portfolio is comprised of commercial, industrial and agricultural production loans. Consumer loans make up the remaining 12.9% of the total loan portfolio.

The Company’s loan personnel have the authority to extend credit under guidelines established and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Any aggregate credit that exceeds the authority of the loan officer is forwarded to the Board’s loan committee for approval. The loan committee is composed of certain Company directors, including the Chairman of the Board. All aggregate credits that exceed the loan committee’s lending authority are presented to the full Board of Directors for ultimate approval or denial. The loan committee not only acts as an approval body to ensure consistent application of the Company’s loan policies, but also provides valuable insight through the communication and pooling of knowledge, judgment and experience of its members.

All loans in the Company’s portfolio are subject to risk based on the state of both the local and national economy. The Company’s local economy in the past few years has been strong, with unemployment at historic lows: however, it is uncertain how the weakness in the state and national economy will affect the Company in the future.

In addition to lending services, the Company provides limited trust services. The Company serves as custodian of cemetery upkeep funds and insurance trusts. The Company also offers discount brokerage services through a networking agreement with First Tennessee Bank.

Through such innovations as its VISA Checkcard program, the 24 Hour Phone Teller and the Bank’s Internet site (http://www.thecitizensbankphila.com), the Company’s customers have easy and convenient access to their funds and account balances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, the Internet site enables Bank customers to review their accounts in detail, make transfers between their accounts and pay bills from anywhere in the world.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Greg L. McKee, 47, has been employed by the Bank since 1984. He was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank in January 2003. He has served as President of the Bank since January 2002 and served as Chief Operating Officer of the Bank from January 2002 until December 31, 2002. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors of both the Company and the Bank since 2001. Mr. McKee served as Executive Vice-President of the Bank from 2001 to 2002, Senior Vice-President of the Bank from 2000 to 2001, Vice-President of the Bank from 1992 to 2000, Assistant Vice-President of the Bank from 1989 to 1992, and Assistant Cashier of the Bank from 1984 to 1989.

Robert T. Smith, 57, has been employed by the Bank since 1986. He has served as Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank since January 2001. Prior to January 2001, Mr. Smith held the title of Vice-President and Controller of the Bank from 1987 until 2001 and Assistant Vice-President of the Bank from 1986 to 1987. In addition to his position with the Bank, Mr. Smith has served as Treasurer of the Company since February 1996 and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since January 2001.

EMPLOYEES

The Company has no employees other than three Bank officers who provide services to the Company. These officers receive no compensation from the Company for their services to it as their entire salary is paid by the Bank. At December 31, 2008, the Bank employed 239 full-time employees and 53 part-time employees. The Bank is not a party to any collective bargaining agreements, and employee relations are considered to be good.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

The Bank is chartered under the banking laws of the State of Mississippi and is subject to the supervision of, and is regularly examined by, the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Company is a registered bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), and is subject to the supervision of the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”). Certain legislation and regulations affecting the businesses of the Company and the Bank are discussed below.

General.

The FRB requires the Company to maintain certain levels of capital and to file an annual report with the FRB. The FRB also has the authority to conduct examinations of the Company and the Bank and to take enforcement action against any bank holding company that engages in any unsafe or unsound practice or that violates certain laws, regulations, or conditions imposed in writing by the FRB.

Capital Standards.

The FRB, FDIC and other federal banking agencies have established risk-based capital adequacy guidelines. These guidelines are intended to provide a measure of a bank’s capital adequacy that reflects the degree of risk associated with a bank’s operations.

A banking organization’s risk-based capital ratios are obtained by dividing its qualifying capital by its total risk-adjusted assets and off-balance sheet items. Since December 31, 1992, the federal banking agencies have required a minimum ratio of qualifying total capital to risk-adjusted assets and off-balance sheet items of 8%, and a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-adjusted assets and off-balance sheet items of 4%. At December 31, 2008, the Company’s ratio of qualifying total capital to risk-adjusted assets and off-balance sheet items was 15.70% and its ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-adjusted assets and off-balance sheet items was 14.74%.

In addition to the risk-based guidelines, federal banking regulators require banking organizations to maintain a minimum amount of Tier 1 capital to total assets, referred to as the leverage ratio. For a banking organization rated in the highest of the five categories used by regulators to rate banking organizations, the minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets is 4%. The Company’s leverage capital ratio at December 31, 2008 was 9.50%.

Prompt Corrective Action and Other Enforcement Mechanisms.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) requires each federal banking agency to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured depository institutions, including, but not limited to, those that fall below one or more of the prescribed minimum capital ratios. The law requires each federal banking agency to promulgate regulations defining the following five categories in which an insured depository institution will be placed, based on the level of its capital ratios: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. The Company and Bank are classified as well capitalized under the guidelines promulgated by the FRD and the FDIC.

Safety and Soundness Standards.

FDICIA also implemented certain specific restrictions on transactions and required the regulators to adopt overall safety and soundness standards for depository institutions related to internal control, loan underwriting and documentation, and asset growth. Among other things, FDICIA limits the interest rates paid on deposits by undercapitalized institutions, the use of brokered deposits and the aggregate extension of credit by a depository institution to an executive officer, director, principal shareholder or related interest, and reduces deposit insurance coverage for deposits offered by undercapitalized institutions and for deposits by certain employee benefits accounts.

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions.

The Company’s ability to pay dividends depends in large part on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Company. The power of the board of directors of an insured depository institution to declare a cash dividend or other distribution with respect to capital is subject to federal statutory and regulatory restrictions, which limit the amount available for such distribution depending upon the earnings, financial condition and cash needs of the institution, as well as general business conditions.

The approval of the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance is also required prior to the Bank paying dividends. The department’s regulations limit dividends to earned surplus in excess of three times the Bank’s capital stock. At December 31, 2008, the maximum amount available for transfer from the Bank to the Company in the form of a dividend was $66,446,167, or 9.6% of the Bank’s consolidated net assets.

FRB regulations limit the amount the Bank may loan to the Company unless those loans are collateralized by specific obligations. At December 31, 2008, the maximum amount available for transfer from the Bank in the form of cash dividends and loans was $69,300,943, or 10% of the Bank’s consolidated net assets. The Bank does not have any outstanding loans with the Company.

FDIC Insurance Assessments.

The FDIC has established a mechanism to raise funds to protect deposits insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), which is administered by the FDIC. The Bank’s deposits are insured through the DIF, which is funded by the members that are insured by the FDIC through the assessment on deposits. This assessment is set to maintain a certain percentage of total deposits with which the FDIC uses to offset losses caused by bank failure.

Deposit insurance premiums for banks and savings associations were increased as a result of The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. Losses incurred by the FDIC in connection with the default or assistance of troubled federally insured financial institutions are required to be reimbursed by other federally insured financial institutions.

Other BHC Act Provisions.

The BHC Act requires a bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the FRB before acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any bank that is not already majority-owned by such bank holding company. The BHC Act provides that the FRB shall not approve any acquisition, merger or consolidation that would result in a monopoly or that would be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or attempt to monopolize the business of banking. The FRB also will not approve any other transactions in which the effect might be to substantially lessen competition or in any manner be a restraint on trade, unless the anti-competitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in the probable effect of the transaction in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served.

The BHC Act also prohibits a bank holding company, with certain exceptions, from engaging in or from acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company engaged in non-banking activities. The principal exception to this rule is for engaging in or acquiring shares of a company whose activities are found by the FRB to be so closely related to banking or managing banks as to be a proper incident thereto. In making such determinations, the FRB is required to consider whether the performance of such activities by a bank holding company or its subsidiaries can reasonably be expected to produce benefits to the public such as greater convenience, increased competition or gains in efficiency of resources that outweigh the risks of possible adverse effects such as decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest or unsound banking practices.

The BHC Act prohibits the acquisition by a bank holding company of more than 5% of the outstanding voting shares of a bank located outside the state in which the operations of its banking subsidiaries are principally conducted, unless such an acquisition is specifically authorized by statute of the state in which the bank to be acquired is located.

The Company and the Bank are subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act on any extensions of credit to the Company or the Bank, on investments in the stock or other securities of the Company or the Bank, and on taking such stock or other securities as collateral for loans of any borrower.

The BHC Act was amended in 2000 by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 to permit “financial holding companies” to engage in a broader range of nonbanking financial activities, such as underwriting and

selling insurance, providing financial or investment advice, and dealing and making markets in securities and merchant banking. In order to qualify as a financial holding company, the Company must declare to the FRB its intention to become a financial holding company and certify that the Bank meets the capitalization management requirements and that it has at least a satisfactory rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1997, as amended (the “CRA”). To date, we have not elected to become a financial holding company.

Interstate Banking and Branching.

On September 29, 1994, the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the “Interstate Act”) was signed into law. The Interstate Act effectively permits nationwide banking by removing territorial restrictions on interstate bank mergers.

Interstate branching by merger with, or acquisition or consolidation of, banks located in different states was permitted beginning June 1, 1997, except in states that have passed legislation prior to that date “opting-out” of interstate branching. If a state opted-out prior to June 1, 1997, then banks located in that state can not participate in interstate branching. Effective May 1, 1997, Mississippi “opted in” to the interstate branching provision of the Interstate Act.

Community Reinvestment Act.

The CRA requires the assessment by the appropriate regulatory authority of a financial institution’s record in meeting the credit needs of the local community, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The regulations promulgated under CRA emphasize an assessment of actual performance in meeting local credit needs, rather than of the procedures followed by a bank to evaluate compliance with the CRA. CRA compliance is also a factor in evaluations of proposed mergers, acquisitions and applications to open new branches or facilities. Overall CRA compliance is rated across a four-point scale from “outstanding” to “substantial noncompliance.” Different evaluation methods are used depending on the asset size of the bank.

The FDIC examined the Bank on August 17, 2004 and again most recently on August 21, 2007, for its performance under the CRA. The Bank was rated Satisfactory during both of these examinations. No discriminatory practices or illegal discouragement of applications were found.

Anti-Money Laundering Efforts.

The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”) requires financial institutions to establish anti-money laundering programs and due diligence policies, procedures and controls with respect to bank accounts involving foreign individuals and certain foreign banks, and to avoid establishing and maintaining accounts in the United States for, or on the behalf of, foreign banks that do not have a physical presence in any country. We believe that we are in compliance with the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Corporate Governance.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes Act”) requires publicly traded companies, such as the Company, to adhere to several directives designed to prevent corporate misconduct. Additional duties have been placed on officers, directors, auditors and attorneys of public companies. The Sarbanes Act requires certifications regarding financial statement accuracy and internal control adequacy by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer to accompany periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Sarbanes Act also accelerates insider reporting obligations under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, restricts certain executive officer and director transactions, imposes new obligations on corporate audit committees and provides for enhanced review by the SEC.

Impact of Monetary Policies.

Banking is a business that substantially depends on interest rate differentials. In general, the difference between the interest paid by a bank on its deposits and other borrowings and the interest rate earned by banks on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets comprises the major source of banks’ earnings. Thus, the earnings and growth of banks are subject to the influence of economic conditions generally, both domestic and foreign, and also to the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States and its agencies including the FRB. The nature and timing of any future changes in such policies and their impact on the Company cannot be predicted.

COMPETITION

The banking business is highly competitive. The Company’s market consists principally of Neshoba, Newton, Leake, Scott, Attala, Lauderdale, Oktibbeha, Winston and Kemper counties in Mississippi. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company entered the southern Mississippi market with the opening of a branch office in Hattiesburg, Mississippi which is located in Forrest and Lamar Counties. The Company competes with other financial institutions in these counties and in surrounding counties in Mississippi in obtaining deposits and providing many types of financial services. The Company also competes with larger regional banks for the business of companies located in the Company’s market area.

All financial institutions, including the Company, compete for customers’ deposits. The Company also competes with savings and loan associations, credit unions, production credit associations, federal land banks, finance companies, personal loan companies, money market funds and other non-depository financial intermediaries. Many of these financial institutions have resources many times greater than those of the Company. In addition, new financial intermediaries such as money-market mutual funds and large retailers are not subject to the same regulations and laws that govern the operation of traditional depository institutions. The Company believes it benefits from a good reputation in the community and from the significant length of time it has provided needed banking services to its customers. Also, as a locally owned financial institution, the Company believes it is able to respond to the needs of the community with services tailored to the particular demands of its customers. Furthermore, as a local institution, the Company believes it can provide such services faster than a larger institution not based in the Company’s market area.

Recent changes in federal and state law have resulted in, and are expected to continue to result in, increased competition. The reductions in legal barriers to the acquisition of banks by out-of-state bank holding companies resulting from implementation of the

Interstate Act and other recent changes in banking laws and regulations are expected to continue to further stimulate competition in the markets in which the Company operates, although it is not possible to predict the extent or timing of such increased competition.

Currently, there are approximately twenty-three different financial institutions in the Company’s market competing for the same customer base. As of June 30, 2008, the Company’s market share in its market area was approximately 12.15%. The Company competes in its market for loan and deposit products, along with many of the other services required by today’s banking customer, on the basis of availability, quality and pricing. The Company believes it is able to compete favorably in its markets, in terms of both the rates we offer and the level of service that we provide to our customers.

AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION

The Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments thereto, along with other information about the Company, are available, free of charge, on our website, http://www.citizensholdingcompany.com. Upon request, the Company will provide to any record holder or beneficial holder of its shares a copy of such reports without charge. Requests should be made to Robert T. Smith, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Citizens Holding Company, 521 Main Street, Philadelphia, Mississippi 39350.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the exhibits hereto, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our business. The risks disclosed below, either alone or in combination, could materially adversely affect the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Risks Related To Our Business and Industry

We are subject to interest rate risk.

Our earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon the net interest income of the Company. Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on assets, such as loans and securities, and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowed funds. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the FRB. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest we receive on loans and securities and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect (i) our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits, which could reduce the amount of fee income generated, (ii) the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, and (iii) the average duration of our mortgage-backed securities portfolio. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income could be adversely affected, which in turn could negatively affect our earnings. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings.

Although management believes it has implemented effective asset and liability management strategies to reduce the potential effects of changes in interest rates on the results of operations of the Company, any substantial, unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Volatility in interest rates may also result in disintermediation, which is the flow of funds away from financial institutions into direct investments, such as U.S. Government and Agency securities and other investment vehicles, including mutual funds, which generally pay higher rates of return than financial institutions because of the absence of federal insurance premiums and reserve requirements. Disintermediation could also result in material adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations.

A discussion of the policies and procedures used to identify, assess and manage certain interest rate risk is set forth in Item 7A, “Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

We are subject to lending risk.

There are inherent risks associated with our lending activities. These risks include, among other things, the impact of changes in interest rates and changes in the economic conditions in the markets where we operate as well as those across the United States. Increases in interest rates or weakening economic conditions could adversely impact the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans or the value of the collateral securing these loans.

As of December 31, 2008, approximately 55% of our loan portfolio consisted of commercial, construction and commercial real estate loans. These types of loans are generally viewed as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans or consumer loans due primarily to the large amounts loaned to individual borrowers. Because the loan portfolio contains a significant number of commercial, construction and commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in non-performing loans. An increase in non-performing loans could result in a net loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for possible loan losses and an increase in loan charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The allowance for possible loan losses may be insufficient.

Although we try to maintain diversification within our loan portfolio in order to minimize the effect of economic conditions within a particular industry, management also maintains an allowance for loan losses, which is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the entire loan portfolio. The appropriate level of the allowance is based on management’s quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio and represents an amount that management deems adequate to provide for inherent losses, including collective impairment. Among other considerations in establishing the allowance for loan losses, management considers economic conditions reflected within industry segments, the unemployment

rate in our markets, loan segmentation and historical losses that are inherent in the loan portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires management to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for loan losses.

In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review the allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the provision for loan losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. In addition, if charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for loan losses, we will need additional provisions to increase the allowance for loan losses. Any increases in the allowance for loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and, possibly, capital, and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. A discussion of the policies and procedures related to management’s process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses is set forth in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Bank holding companies depend on the accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties.

In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions, we often rely on information furnished by or on behalf of customers and counterparties, including financial statements, credit reports and other financial information. We may also rely on representations of those customers, counterparties or other third parties, such as independent auditors, as to the accuracy and completeness of that information. Reliance on inaccurate or misleading financial statements, credit reports or other financial information could have a material adverse impact on our business and, in turn, our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities.

A significant portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit the ability of the Company to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability. Although management has policies and procedures to perform an environmental review during the loan application process and also before initiating any foreclosure action on real property, these reviews may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our business may be adversely affected by conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally.

Since mid-2007, and particularly during the second half of 2008, the financial services industry and the securities markets generally were materially and adversely affected by significant declines in the values of nearly all asset classes and by a serious lack of liquidity. This was initially triggered by declines in home prices and the values of sub-prime mortgages, but spread to all mortgage and real estate asset classes, to leveraged bank loans and to nearly all asset classes, including equities. The global markets have been characterized by substantially increased volatility and short-selling and an overall loss of investor confidence, initially in financial institutions, but more recently in companies in a number of other industries and in the broader markets.

Market conditions have also led to the failure or merger of a number of prominent financial institutions. Financial institution failures or near-failures have resulted in further losses as a consequence of defaults on securities issued by them and defaults under contracts entered into with such entities as counterparties. Furthermore, declining asset values, defaults on mortgages and consumer loans, and the lack of market and investor confidence, as well as other factors, have all combined to increase credit default swap spreads, to cause rating agencies to lower credit ratings, and to otherwise increase the cost and decrease the availability of liquidity, despite very significant declines in Federal Reserve borrowing rates and other government actions. Some banks and other lenders have suffered significant losses and have become reluctant to lend, even on a secured basis, due to the increased risk of default and the impact of declining asset values on the value of collateral. The foregoing has significantly weakened the strength and liquidity of some financial institutions worldwide. In 2008, the United States government, the Federal Reserve and other regulators have taken numerous steps to increase liquidity and to restore investor confidence, including Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program, but asset values have continued to decline and access to liquidity continues to be very limited.

Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services companies are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services companies, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due us. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely affect our businesses, financial condition or results of operations.

Our financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, is highly dependent upon the business environment in the markets where we operate and in the United States as a whole. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, efficient capital markets, low inflation, high business and investor confidence, and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence, limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital, increases in inflation or interest rates, natural disasters or a combination of these or other factors.

Overall, the 2008 business environment was adverse for many households and businesses in the United States. The business environment in the markets in which we operate has been less adverse than in the broader United States but continues to deteriorate. It is possible that the business environment in the United States will continue to deteriorate for the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that these conditions will improve in the near term. Such conditions could adversely affect the credit quality of our loans, our results of operations and our financial condition.

We are subject to recent downturns and disruptions.

In 2008, several downturns and disruptions occurred in markets which are important to our businesses, and similar or additional adverse events may occur in the future. Although those events did not create new types of risks, we believe it is useful to highlight some of the key impacts of those events on our business to illustrate how events beyond our control can adversely affect us.

Some of the significant recent downturns and disruptions relevant to mortgage and related businesses include:

•

residential housing values in the US have stagnated or fallen, and in some highly-populated markets values have fallen significantly;

•

the volume of residential housing transactions also has stagnated or fallen, and in some markets volume has fallen significantly;

•

investor demand for mortgage-backed securities fluctuated suddenly and sharply, and for some categories of mortgages disappeared almost entirely;

•

except for “conforming loans,” which are loan products conforming to standards of certain government sponsored entities, rates for some types of home mortgage products have risen sharply and some mortgage products, with new and more restrictive credit criteria, have become difficult for borrowers to obtain even at high interest rates, making it difficult or impossible for some borrowers to refinance an existing mortgage;

•

many mortgage borrowers in recent years have obtained adjustable-rate products, and it is possible that many will adjust to higher rates, and therefore higher payments, in the near future;

•

fear has been expressed by some public officials and others that mortgage-related defaults, foreclosures, and personal bankruptcies have risen and will rise significantly in the future;

•

the US Congress and other governmental bodies have considered, and in the future may enact or adopt, new laws and regulations intended to modify the terms of outstanding mortgage loans in a manner benefiting borrowers at the expense of lenders, restrict the ability of lenders to make new loans, and increase the regulatory burdens and legal risks on mortgage lenders and servicers; and

•

the Federal Reserve has acted recently to lower certain short-term interest rates, possibly to help ameliorate the impacts of the disruptions in housing and the mortgage industry, which has triggered reductions in the prime lending rates charged by most US banks.

Some of the significant actual and potential impacts of those events on one or more of our businesses include:

•

pressures on our liquidity in the mortgage business as investor demand shrank and the securitization markets diminished or, for some products, disappeared;

•

significant reduction in our ability to create gains on sale of mortgage loans we originate;

•

significant reduction in mortgage origination volume and fees;

•

significant increase in delinquencies in some loan products and markets which are related to mortgages and housing;

•

significant increase in loan loss provision for loans secured by, or directly related to, mortgages and the housing industry,

•

significant increase in costs of servicing mortgages due to increased credit remediation and loss mitigation activity, as well as increased collection and foreclosure activity;

•

the possibility that falling US prime rates in 2009 could compress our net interest margin; and

•

the possibility that, in 2009, adjustable rate HELOC loans that are tied to falling US prime rates could be drawn more fully and could be pre-paid less often so that, in conjunction with falling housing values, the ratio of HELOC loan balances to current actual values may weaken which could, in turn, translate into higher loan losses and higher provisioning for future losses within the HELOC portfolio.

The profitability of the Company depends significantly on economic conditions in the State of Mississippi.

Our success depends primarily on the general economic conditions of the State of Mississippi and the specific local markets in which we operate. Unlike larger national or other regional banks that are more geographically diversified, we provide banking and financial services to customers primarily in East Central Mississippi. The local economic conditions in this area have a significant impact on the demand for our products and services, as well as the ability of our customers to repay loans, the value of the collateral securing loans and the stability of our deposit funding sources.

The earnings of bank holding companies are significantly affected by general business and economic conditions.

In addition to the risks associated with the general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, our operations and profitability are also impacted by general business and economic conditions in the United States and abroad. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, money supply, political issues, legislative and regulatory changes, fluctuations in both debt and equity capital markets, broad trends in industry and finance, and the strength of the U.S. economy and the local economies in which we operate, which are all beyond our control. A further deterioration in economic conditions could result in an increase in loan delinquencies and non-performing assets, decreases in loan collateral values and a decrease in demand for our products and services, among other things, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

We operate in a highly competitive industry and market area.

We face substantial competition in all areas of our operations from a variety of different competitors, many of which are larger and have more financial resources. Such competitors primarily include national, regional and community banks within the various markets in which we operate. We also face competition from many other types of financial institutions, including savings and loans, credit unions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies, factoring companies and other financial intermediaries. The information under the heading “Competition” in Item 1, “Business,” provides more information regarding the competitive conditions in our markets.

Our industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies can merge under the umbrella of a financial holding company, which can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting) and merchant banking. Also, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems. Many of our competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. Additionally, many of our competitors have substantially greater resources than us, including higher total assets and capitalization, greater access to capital markets and a broader offering of financial services.

Our ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among other things:

•

The ability to develop, maintain and build upon long-term customer relationships based on top quality service, high ethical standards and safe, sound assets.

•

The ability to expand the Company’s market position.

•

The scope, relevance and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands.

•

The rate at which we introduce new products and services relative to our competitors.

•

Customer satisfaction with our level of service.

•

Industry and general economic trends.

Failure to perform in any of these areas could significantly weaken our competitive position, which could adversely affect our growth and profitability, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to extensive government regulation and supervision.

The Company and the Bank are subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole, and not the economic or other interests of shareholders. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of the foregoing, could affect the Company or the Bank in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things.

Under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines and other regulatory requirements, the Company and the Bank must meet guidelines that include quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items, subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. If we fail to meet these minimum capital guidelines and other regulatory requirements, our financial condition would be materially and adversely affected. Our failure to maintain the status of “well capitalized” under our regulatory framework could affect the confidence of our customers in us, thus compromising our competitive position. In addition, failure to maintain the status of “well capitalized” under our regulatory framework or “well managed” under regulatory examination procedures could compromise our status as a bank holding company and related eligibility for a streamlined review process for acquisition proposals.

We are also subject to laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes Act and SEC regulations. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations in many cases, and as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased expenses and a diversion of management time and attention.

Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies could also result in sanctions by regulatory agencies and/or civil money penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent any such violations, there can be no assurance that such violations will not occur. The information under the heading “Supervision and Regulation” in Item 1, “Business,” and Note 14, “Regulatory Matters” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” provides more information regarding the regulatory environment in which we and our Bank operate.

Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.

Management regularly reviews and updates our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, has inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden, and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control will provide only reasonable assurance with respect to our adherence to financial reporting, disclosure and corporate governance policies and procedures.

Slower than anticipated growth in new branches and new product and service offerings could result in reduced income.

We have placed a strategic emphasis on expanding our branch network and product offerings. Executing this strategy carries risks of slower than anticipated growth both in new branches and new products. New branches and products require a significant investment of both financial and personnel resources. Lower than expected loan and deposit growth in new investments can decrease anticipated revenues and net income generated by those investments, and opening new branches and introducing new products could result in more additional expenses than anticipated and divert resources from current core operations.

We are substantially dependent on dividends from the Bank for our revenues.

The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Bank, and it receives substantially all of its revenue from dividends from the Bank. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on our common stock and interest and principal on debt. Various federal and state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to the Company. In the event the Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to service debt, pay obligations or pay dividends on our common stock. The inability to receive dividends from the Bank could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The information under the heading “Supervision and Regulation” in Item 1, “Business,” provides a discussion about the restrictions governing the Bank’s ability to transfer funds to us.

Potential acquisitions may disrupt our business and dilute shareholder value.

From time to time, we evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities and conduct due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions. As a result, merger or acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations may take place, and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur at any time. Acquiring other banks, businesses or branches involves various risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things:

•

potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company.

•

exposure to potential asset quality issues of the target company.

•

difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target company.

•

potential disruption to our business.

•

potential diversion of management’s time and attention.

•

the possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company.

•

difficulty in estimating the value of the target company.

•

potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations that may affect the target company.

In addition, acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, and, therefore, some dilution of our tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future transaction. Furthermore, failure to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits from an acquisition could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to attract and retain skilled people.

Our success depends in part on our ability to retain key executives and to attract and retain additional qualified personnel who have experience both in sophisticated banking matters and in operating a bank of our size. Competition for such personnel is strong in the banking industry, and we may not be successful in attracting or retaining the personnel we require. The unexpected loss of one or more of our key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business because of their skills, knowledge of our markets, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacements. We expect to effectively compete in this area by offering financial packages that are competitive within the industry.

Our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

We continually encounter technological change.

Our industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve

customers and reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting our industry could have a material adverse impact on our business and, in turn, our financial condition and results of operations.

Consumers may decide not to use banks to complete their financial transactions.

While we continually attempt to use technology to offer new products and services, at the same time, technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions that historically have involved banks through alternative methods. For example, consumers can now maintain funds in brokerage accounts or mutual funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as disintermediation, could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events could significantly impact our business.

Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on the ability of the Company to conduct business. Such events could affect the stability of our deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue or cause us to incur additional expenses. Although management has established disaster recovery policies and procedures, the occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Deposit run-off risks.

The corporation relies significantly upon deposits for liquidity and to fund business operations. Generally deposits are a relatively stable and cost-effective source of funding for banks due to many factors, including FDIC deposit insurance. Changes in deposit levels can be influenced substantially by many factors, including customer satisfaction and the interest rates offered to deposit customers. Those rates, in turn, generally reflect prevailing market conditions. During 2008, the media has highlighted the risk of an extreme form of deposit run-off, sometimes referred to as a “run on the bank”. More moderate levels of run-off can adversely affect banks but are less dramatic and have been significantly less reported. The increased level of public concern created by the current adverse business environment, punctuated by media reports of potential or actual bank failures, have increased the risk of some level of deposit run-off for all depository institutions at the present time. That increased run-off risk applies both generally and in relation to deposits that exceed FDIC insurance coverage. To manage this risk, the Corporation maintains cash reserves and access to other liquidity sources to accommodate normal and, to a degree, unusual withdrawal activity, and the Corporation strives to respond promptly and accurately to any customer concerns that might arise.

The can be no assurance that the recently enacted Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 will help stabilize the U.S. financial system.

On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”). The legislation was the result of a proposal by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to the U.S. Congress on September 20, 2008 in response to the financial crisis affecting the banking system and financial markets and going concern threats to investment banks and other financial institutions. The U.S. Treasury and banking regulators are implementing a number of programs under this legislation to address capital and liquidity issues in the banking system. There can be no assurance, however, as to the actual impact that the EESA will have on the financial markets, including the extreme levels of volatility and limited credit availability currently being experienced. The failure of the EESA to help stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect the Corporation’s business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit or the trading price of its common stock.

Risks Associated With Our Common Stock

Our stock price can be volatile.

Stock price volatility may make it more difficult for you to resell your common stock when you want and at prices you find attractive. Our stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:

•

actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations;

•

recommendations by securities analysts;

•

operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to the Company;

•

news reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the banking and financial services industry;

•

perceptions in the marketplace regarding us and/or our competitors;

•

new technology used, or services offered, by competitors;

•

significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving us or our competitors;

•

failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions;

•

changes in government regulations; and

•

geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.

Additionally, general market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of operating results.

The trading volume in our common stock is less than that of other larger bank holding companies.

Our common stock is listed for trading on The NASDAQ Global Market, having transferred the listing of our common stock from the American Stock Exchange in November 2006. The average daily trading volume in our common stock is low, generally less than that of many of our competitors and other larger bank holding companies. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers and sellers of our common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which we have no control. Given the lower trading volume of our common stock, significant sales of our common stock, or the expectation of these sales, could cause volatility in the price of our common stock.

An investment in our common stock is not an insured deposit.

Our common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any deposit insurance fund or by any other public or private entity. Investment in our common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this report and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a result, if you acquire our common stock, you may lose some or all of your investment.

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as well as certain banking laws, may have an anti-takeover effect.

Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Shareholder Rights Plan, which are exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the federal banking laws, including regulatory approval requirements, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire the Company, even if doing so would be perceived to be beneficial to our shareholders. The combination of these provisions impedes a non-negotiated merger or other business combination, which, in turn, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None.

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES.

The Company, through the Bank, currently operates from its main office in downtown Philadelphia, Mississippi, and from 22 additional branches in Neshoba, Newton, Leake, Scott, Attala, Lauderdale, Oktibbeha, Winston, Kemper, Forrest and Lamar counties, Mississippi. Information about these branches is set forth in the table below:


NAME OF OFFICE	LOCATION/ TELEPHONE NUMBER	BANKING FUNCTIONS OFFERED
Main Office	521 Main Street	Full Service;
	Philadelphia, Mississippi	Trust
	(601) 656-4692	24 Hour Teller

Eastside Branch	585 East Main Street	Full Service;
	Philadelphia, Mississippi	24 Hour Teller
	(601) 656-4976

Westside Branch	912 West Beacon Street	Full Service;
	Philadelphia, Mississippi	24 Hour Teller
	(601) 656-4978

Northside Branch	802 Pecan Avenue	Deposits;
	Philadelphia, Mississippi	24 Hour Teller
	(601) 656-4977

Pearl River Branch	110 Choctaw Town Center	Deposits;
	Philadelphia, Mississippi	24 Hour Teller
	(601) 656-4971

Union Branch	Corner of Horne & Bank	Full Service
	Union, Mississippi
	(601) 774-9231

Carthage Main Office	301 West Main Street	Full Service
	Carthage, Mississippi
	(601) 267-4525

Madden Branch	Highway 488	Deposits
	Madden, Mississippi
	(601) 267-7366


Sebastopol Branch	24 Pine Street	Full Service;
	Sebastopol, Mississippi	24-Hour Teller
	(601) 625-7447

DeKalb Branch	Corner of Main & Bell	Full Service
	DeKalb, Mississippi
	(601) 743-2115

Kosciusko Branch	775 North Jackson Avenue	Full Service;
	Kosciusko, Mississippi	24-hour Teller
	(662) 289-4356

Scooba Branch	1048 Johnston Street	Full Service
	Scooba, Mississippi
	(662) 476-8431

Meridian Branch	1825 Highway 39 North	Full Service;
	Meridian, Mississippi	24-Hour Teller
	(601) 693-8367

Decatur Branch	15330 Highway 15 South	Full Service;
	Decatur, Mississippi	24-Hour Teller
	(601) 635-2321

Forest Branch	247 Woodland Drive North	Full Service;
	Forest, Mississippi	24-Hour Teller
	(601) 469-3424

Louisville Main Branch	100 East Main Street	Full Service
	Louisville, MS	24 Hour Teller
	(662) 773-6261

Industrial Branch	803 South Church Street	Drive-Up
	Louisville, MS
	(662) 773-6261

Noxapater Branch	45 East Main Street	Deposits
	Noxapater, MS
	(662) 724-4261

Starkville Branch	201 Highway 12	Full Service
	Starkville, MS 39759	24 Hour Teller
	(662) 323-4210

Collinsville Branch	9065 Collinsville Road	Full Service
	Collinsville, MS 39325	24 Hour Teller
	(601) 626-7608


Meridian Mid-Town	905 22^ndAvenue	Full Service
	Meridian, MS 39301	24 Hour Teller
	(601) 482-8858

Meridian Broadmoor	5015 Highway 493	Full Service
	Meridian, MS 39305	24 Hour Teller
	(601) 581-1541

Hattiesburg	15 Millbranch Road	Full Service
	Hattiesburg, MS 39402
	(601) 264-4425

The Bank owns its main office and its branch offices, except for the Pearl River branch office, the Hattiesburg branch office and the Meridian Mid-Town Branches, which are leased. The main office facility, originally occupied in 1966, is used solely by the Company and the Bank. This facility contains approximately 20,000 square feet and houses the executive offices and all operations-related departments of the Company. A renovation of the first floor of this building, including the main banking lobby was completed in August 2006. The other branches range in size from nearly 4,000 square feet to 1,000 square feet.

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than routine litigation incidental to their business, to which either the Company or the Bank is a party or to which any of their property is subject.

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There were no matters submitted to the Company’s shareholders during the fourth quarter of 2008.

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Information required in partial response to this Item 5 can be found under the heading “Market Price and Dividend Information” in the 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders, a copy of which is filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such information in incorporated herein by reference.

The information appearing under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in Item 12 of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

Information required in response to this Item 6 can be found under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006—Selected Financial Data” in the 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders, a copy of which is filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Information required in response to this Item 7 can be found under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006” in the 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders, a copy of which is filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Information required in response to this Item 7A can be found under the headings “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in the 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders, a copy of which is filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Information required in response to this Item 8 can be found under the heading “Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Quarterly Financial Trends” in the 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders, a copy of which is filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The management of this Company, with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, including ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and financial officers have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2008 (the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K).

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Information required in response to this item can be found under the headings “Management’s Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements contained in its 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders, a copy of which is filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes to the internal control over financial reporting in the fourth quarter of 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9A(T).

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

PART III

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

Information required in partial response to this Item 10 can be found under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Item 1, “Business,” and under the headings “Stock Ownership” and “Board of Directors” in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC on or about March 19, 2009, relating to its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a code of business ethics in compliance with Item 406 of Regulation S-K for the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller. A copy of the Company’s Code of Ethics was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 26, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference. On September 26, 2006, the Company approved an expanded Code of Conduct that covers all directors, officers and employees. Copies of both the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct can be found on the Company’s website: http://www.citizensholdingcompany.com. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct by posting information on our website at the address specified above.

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

Information required in response to this Item 11 can be found under the headings “Board of Directors,” “Executive Officers and Executive Compensation,” “Report of the Compensation Committee,” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC on or about March 19, 2009, relating to its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

Information required in partial response to this Item 12 can be found under the heading “Stock Ownership” in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC on or about March 19, 2009, relating to its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information about the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2008.

Equity Compensation Plan Information


Plan category	(a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights	(b) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights		(c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders⁽¹⁾	268,300	$	18.43	168,962	⁽²⁾
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders	-0-	$	0.00	-0-
Total	268,300	$	18.43	168,962

⁽¹⁾	Two equity compensation plans have been approved by the shareholders: the 1999 Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan and the 1999 Employees’ Long-Term Incentive Plan.

⁽²⁾

Includes 58,200 shares that remain available for future issuance under the 1999 Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan. Also includes 110,762 shares available for future issuance under the 1999 Employees’ Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). Under the terms of the LTIP, the number of shares that may be issued cannot exceed 7% of the total number of shares issued and outstanding from time to time. In addition to stock options, restricted stock may be awarded under the LTIP. No restricted stock has been awarded under the LTIP.

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

Information required in response to this Item 13 can be found under the heading “Board of Directors” in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC on or about March 19, 2009, relating to its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Information required in response to this Item 14 can be found under the heading “Proposal No. 3- Appointment of HORNE LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC on or about March 19, 2009, relating to its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)

Financial Statements

Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Information for years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, which include the following:

(i)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Financial Statements and Internal Control)

(ii)

Management’s Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

(iii)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(iv)

Consolidated Statements of Income

(v)

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(vi)

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(vii)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(viii)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Financial Statement Schedules

None.

Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K


3(i)	Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Company	*
3(ii)	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended	**
4	Rights Agreement between Citizens Holding Company and The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia, Mississippi	*
10(a)	Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan—Form of Agreement	*†
10(b)	Citizens Holding Company 1999 Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan	*†
10(c)	Citizens Holding Company 1999 Employees’ Long-Term Incentive Plan	*†
10(d)	Change in Control Agreement dated December 10, 2002 between the Company and Greg L. McKee	***†
10(f)	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	****†
13	2008 Annual Report to Shareholders
14	Code of Ethics	*****
21	Subsidiaries of Registrant
23	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.1	Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2	Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Filed as an exhibit to the Form 10 Registration Statement of the Company (File No. 000-25221) filed on December 30, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference, and also filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 Registration Statement of the Company (File No. 000-25221) filed on June 21, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference.

**	Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 000-25221) filed on March 15, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

***	Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 000-25221) filed on March 31, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.

****	Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 000-25221) filed on March 16, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

*****

Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 000-25221) filed on March 26, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

†	Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.


	CITIZENS HOLDING COMPANY

Date: March 11, 2009	By:	/s/ Greg L. McKee
		Greg L. McKee
		President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated:


SIGNATURES	CAPACITIES	DATE

/s/ Terrell E. Winstead	Director	March 11, 2009
Terrell E. Winstead

/s/ David A. King	Director	March 11, 2009
David A. King

/s/ Craig Dungan, MD	Director	March 11, 2009
Craig Dungan, MD

/s/ Don L. Fulton	Director	March 11, 2009
Don L. Fulton

/s/ David P. Webb	Director	March 11, 2009
David P. Webb

/s/ A. T. Williams	Director	March 11, 2009
A.T. Williams


/s/ Greg L. McKee	Director, President and	March 11, 2009
Greg L. McKee	Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Robert T. Smith	Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer	March 11, 2009
Robert T. Smith	(Principal Financial & Accounting Officer)

/s/ Herbert A. King	Chairman of the Board	March 11, 2009
Herbert A. King

/s/ Adam Mars	Director	March 11, 2009
Adam Mars

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
13		2008 Annual Report to Shareholders

21		Subsidiaries of Registrant

23		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31.1		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer

31.2		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer

32.1		Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

32.2		Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller Reporting Company