Renasant, a financial services institution, agreed to acquire The First Bancshares, the parent company of The First Bank, for $1.2bn. “As two of the largest banks headquartered in Mississippi, each with a footprint across the Southeast, both Renasant and The First have grown to know and respect each other’s operating philosophy, dedication to providing best-in-class customer service and commitment to the communities in which we operate. As with Renasant, The First has expanded into some of the most dynamic, fastest growing markets in the Southeast. Together, we create a more valuable company with the meaningful scale needed to compete in today’s operating environment,” Mitch Waycaster, Renasant CEO.