Company Overview

First Bancshares, Inc. (FBSI) is a bank holding company that operates primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Bank, providing a broad range of commercial and consumer banking services. The company operates within the U.S. regional banking and financial services industry, focusing on relationship-based banking for individuals, small to mid-sized businesses, and professional clients. Its revenue is primarily driven by net interest income from loans and investment securities, as well as non-interest income from service charges, mortgage banking, and wealth-related services.

Founded in 1996, the company has grown through a combination of organic expansion and targeted acquisitions, particularly in the southeastern United States. First Bancshares, Inc. is positioned as a community-focused regional bank with a diversified loan portfolio and an emphasis on local market expertise, decentralized decision-making, and disciplined credit management. Over time, the company has expanded beyond its original Mississippi base into higher-growth metropolitan and suburban markets.

Business Operations

The company operates through a single reportable operating segment, Community Banking, conducted under the First Bank brand. This segment delivers traditional banking products, including commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate lending, residential mortgage loans, consumer loans, and agricultural lending, along with deposit products such as checking, savings, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Non-interest revenue is generated through mortgage origination and servicing, debit and card fees, service charges, and trust-related activities.

Operations are conducted across both domestic retail branches and loan production offices, supported by centralized technology platforms for digital banking, treasury management, and risk oversight. First Bancshares, Inc. controls key banking assets including its loan portfolio, deposit base, and branch infrastructure, and it does not have material international operations. The company has historically used acquisitions of community banks to deepen market density while integrating them into a unified operating and compliance framework.

Strategic Position & Investments

The company’s strategic direction emphasizes disciplined growth, balance sheet resilience, and market expansion within attractive Southeastern U.S. banking markets. Growth initiatives have included selective acquisitions of community banks and branch networks that complement existing operations, as well as investments in digital banking capabilities to enhance customer experience and operating efficiency. Acquisitions have been a recurring element of strategy, with completed transactions integrated into First Bank rather than operated as standalone subsidiaries.

First Bancshares, Inc. has invested in expanding commercial and small business lending teams, mortgage banking operations, and treasury management services to diversify revenue streams. While the company is not directly involved in emerging financial technologies as a standalone business line, it has adopted industry-standard banking technologies and digital delivery channels to remain competitive against larger regional banks.

Geographic Footprint

The company’s operations are concentrated in the Southeastern United States, with a significant presence in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Texas. Corporate headquarters are located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, which serves as the central hub for executive management, credit administration, and strategic planning.

Market presence spans urban, suburban, and rural communities across multiple states, allowing First Bancshares, Inc. to balance higher-growth metropolitan areas with stable community banking markets. While the company does not operate internationally, its multi-state footprint provides geographic diversification within the U.S. banking landscape.

Leadership & Governance

The company is led by an executive team with long-standing experience in community and regional banking, emphasizing conservative credit culture, local accountability, and shareholder-focused capital management. Leadership philosophy centers on sustainable growth, disciplined risk management, and maintaining strong regulatory relationships consistent with publicly traded bank holding companies.

Key executives include:

• Johnny T. Moore II – President and Chief Executive Officer
• John D. Barrett – Chief Financial Officer
• James M. Beckwith – Chief Credit Officer
• James C. Hendricks Jr. – Chief Operating Officer
• Ben W. Bryan – Chief Banking Officer

The board of directors provides governance oversight with a focus on regulatory compliance, capital allocation, and long-term strategic planning aligned with shareholder interests.