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

                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                       For the quarter ended June 30, 1996
                         Commission File Number 0-12154

                           THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY
             -------------------------------------------------------
           (Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)

                             MISSISSIPPI 64-0676974
        ------------------------ --------------------------------------
        (State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

            209 Troy Street, P. O. Box 709, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801
           ----------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

         Registrant's telephone number including area code 601-680-1001

 Indicate by check 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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
                             for the past 90 days.
                                 YES__X__NO_____

  Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
                common stock, as to the latest practicable date.

            Common stock, $5 Par Value, 3,906,675 shares outstanding
                               as of July 24, 1996






















                                       1

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY INDEX PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE Item 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995.................. 3 Consolidated Statements of Income - Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995......................... 4 Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995......................... 4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995.............. 5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ 6 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.................. 7 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings....................................... 10 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders......... 10 Item 6.(b) Reports on Form 8-K..................................... 10 Signatures.................................................. 10 2

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [CAPTION] JUNE 30 DECEMBER 31 1996 1995 ------------ ----------- (Unaudited) (Note 1) [S] [C] [C] Assets Cash and due from banks ................ $ 49,488,068 $ 46,918,819 Federal Fund Sold ...................... 8,000,000 17,000,000 ---------- ---------- 57,488,068 63,918,819 Interest bearing balances with banks .... 2,803,942 8,814,411 Securities held-to-maturity (market value-$49,110,347 and $50,109,526 at June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively) ................. 49,314,775 45,837,145 Securities available-for-sale (amortized cost-$202,205,536 and $166,530,900 at June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively) ....................... 197,632,445 168,381,798 Loans .................................. 539,252,359 533,545,333 Unearned Income ..................... (9,285,073) (11,231,586) Allowance for loan losses ........... (8,849,895) (8,815,130) ----------- ------------ Net Loans ........................ 521,117,391 513,498,617 Premises and equipment ................. 20,778,646 20,323,492 Other assets ........................... 23,059,803 20,925,126 ----------- ------------ Total Assets .................. $ 872,195,070 $ 841,699,408 =========== ============ Liabilities Deposits: Noninterest-bearing ................. $ 116,375,637 $ 116,894,919 Certificates of deposit exceeding $100,000 ........................ 82,438,971 62,620,549 Interest bearing .................... 566,997,782 560,029,831 ------------ ------------ Total Deposits ............ 765,812,390 739,545,299 Treasury tax and loan note account ..... 3,125,607 2,400,495 Borrowings ............................. 6,907,657 4,313,109 Other liabilities ...................... 10,310,143 10,480,085 ------------ ------------ Total Liabilities ......... $ 786,155,797 $ 756,738,988 Shareholders' Equity Common Stock, $5 par value-7,500,000 authorized, 3,906,675 and 2,604,760 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively .......................... 19,533,375 13,023,800 Additional paid-in capital .............. 39,875,796 39,875,796 Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax ............................ (872,032) 1,169,262 Retained earnings ....................... 27,502,134 30,891,562 ------------ ------------ Total Shareholders' Equity .... 86,039,273 84,960,420 ------------ ------------ Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity ........ $ 872,195,070 $ 841,699,408 ============ ============ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 3

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30 THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30 1996 1995 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Interest Income Loans ................................ $ 24,769,781 $ 23,963,841 $ 12,504,522 $ 12,375,787 Securities: Taxable ......................... 6,084,321 4,812,589 3,105,054 2,478,568 Tax-exempt ...................... 1,348,120 1,268,803 631,098 639,849 Other ................................ 544,510 412,376 245,732 250,902 ------- ------- ----- ------- Total interest income ...... 32,746,732 30,457,609 16,486,406 15,745,106 Interest Expense Time deposits exceeding $100,000 ..... 1,843,044 1,538,489 977,949 833,117 Other deposits ....................... 11,888,769 10,188,548 5,834,721 5,391,431 Borrowings .......................... 143,674 197,511 116,953 93,856 ------- ------- ------ ------ Total interest expense ..... 13,875,487 11,924,548 6,929,623 6,318,404 ---------- ---------- --------- --------- Net interest income ........ 18,871,245 18,533,061 9,556,783 9,426,702 Provision for loan losses .................. 1,260,450 1,200,000 630,225 600,000 --------- --------- ------- ------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses .. 17,610,795 17,333,061 8,926,558 8,826,702 Noninterest income: Service charges on deposit accounts .. 3,211,701 3,055,878 1,611,205 1,573,039 Fees and commissions ................. 836,453 716,796 417,153 381,352 Trust department ..................... 270,000 261,000 135,000 130,500 Security gains(losses) ............... 161,423 (413,963) 52,973 (39,540) Other ................................ 796,537 803,587 325,309 346,356 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total noninterest income ... 5,276,114 4,423,298 2,541,640 2,391,707 Noninterest expenses: Salaries and employee benefits ....... 9,257,253 8,852,422 4,619,025 4,582,643 Net occupancy ........................ 1,119,080 1,113,268 571,075 586,371 Equipment ............................ 746,644 643,989 402,543 306,269 Other ................................ 5,232,170 4,900,379 2,657,238 2,143,033 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total noninterest expenses . 16,355,147 15,510,058 8,249,881 7,618,316 ---------- ---------- --------- --------- Income before income taxes ................. 6,531,762 6,246,301 3,218,317 3,600,093 Income taxes ............................... 1,961,424 1,818,055 955,447 1,059,954 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income ................. $ 4,570,338 $ 4,428,246 $ 2,262,870 $ 2,540,139 ========== ========== ============ ============ Earnings per share ........................ $ 1.17 $ 1.13 $ .58 $ .65 ====== ====== ====== ====== Weighted average shares outstanding ....... 3,906,675 3,906,675 3,906,675 3,906,675 ========= ========= ========= ========= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 4

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [CAPTION] SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30 1996 1995 ---- ---- (Unaudited) [S] [C] [C] Operating Activities Net Income ............................. $ 4,570,338 $ 4,428,246 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Provision for loan losses .............. 1,260,450 1,200,000 Provision for depreciation and amortization ...................... 989,550 920,307 Net amortization (accretion) of securities premiums/discounts ..... (731,941) 2,476,678 Losses (gains) on sales/calls of securities ........................ (90,899) 441,542 Increase (decrease) in other liabilities (169,942) 432,506 Deferred income tax (credits)........... 120,913 (656,907) Losses (gains) on sales of premises and equipment ............ (15,360) 27,069 Increase in other assets ............... (778,462) (1,224,018) -------- ---------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities ................... 5,154,647 8,045,423 Investing Activities Net increase (decrease) in balances with other banks .................. 6,010,469 (2,871,195) Proceeds from maturities/calls of securities held-to-maturity ....... 669,581 654,042 Proceeds from maturities/calls of securities available-for-sale ..... 37,835,540 30,604,300 Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale ..... 18,590,899 23,883,732 Purchases of securities held-to-maturity .................. (4,034,555) (2,990,000) Purchases of securities available-for-sale ................ (88,208,602) (48,037,930) Net increase in loans .................. (9,447,845) (26,598,029) Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment ..................... 96,170 169,252 Purchases of premises and equipment .... (1,233,606) (1,428,090) ---------- ---------- Net Cash Used in Investing Activities ................... (39,721,949) (26,613,918) Financing Activities Net decrease in noninterest-bearing deposits ...... (519,282) (2,846,059) Net increase in certificate of deposits exceeding $100,000 ................. 19,818,422 6,345,198 Net increase in other interest-bearing deposits .......... 6,967,951 24,259,992 Net increase (decrease) in treasury tax and loan note account ......... 725,112 373,271 Increase (decrease) in borrowings ...... 2,594,548 (528,699) Cash dividends paid .................... (1,450,200) (1,308,894) ---------- ---------- Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities ................... 28,136,551 26,294,809 ---------- ---------- Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents ......... (6,430,751) 7,726,314 Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of period ............... 63,918,819 45,273,177 ---------- ---------- Cash and Cash Equivalents at end of period ..................... $ 57,488,068 $ 52,999,491 ============ ============ Non-cash transactions: Transfer of loans to other real estate .............................. $ 568,621 $ 403,703 ============ ============ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 5

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) JUNE 30, 1996 Note 1 Basis of Presentation: The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 1995, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normally recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The statements should be read in conjunction with the summary of accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Registrant's annual report for the year ended December 31, 1995. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Note 2 Changes in Accounting Methods: Beginning in 1995, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan," which was amended by FASB Statement No. 118, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition and Disclosures." Under these new standards, the 1995 allowance for loan losses related to loans that are identified for evaluation in accordance with Statement No. 114 is based on discounted cash flows using the loan's initial effective interest rate or fair value of the collateral for certain collateral-dependent loans. The adoption of these new standards did not have a significant effect on the allowance for loan losses or the method of income recognition for impaired loans. Note 3 Stock Dividend: Effective May 20, 1996, for shareholders of record at April 30, 1996, the Company declared a 50% stock dividend. The stock dividend increased the number of shares outstanding from 2,604,760 to 3,906,675, which is net of 465 fractional shares paid in cash by the Company. Per share data has been restated to reflect the stock dividend. The Company also increased the quarterly dividend from $.175 per share for the second quarter of 1995 to $.19 per share for the second quarter of 1996. Note 4 Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1995 consolidated financial statements to conform with the 1996 presentation. 6

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Financial Condition - ------------------- Total assets of The Peoples Holding Company grew from $841,699,408 on December 31, 1995, to $872,195,070 on June 30, 1996, or 3.62% for the six month period. Total securities increased from $217,744,325 on December 31, 1995, to $246,947,220 on June 30, 1996, in accordance with management's strategic plan. Loans, less unearned income, increased $7,653,539 or 1.47% comparing June 30, 1996 to December 31, 1995. Total deposits for the first six months of 1996 grew from $739,545,299 on December 31, 1995 to $765,812,390 on June 30, 1996, or an increase of 3.55%, with the majority of growth in time deposits. The equity capital to total assets ratio was 9.86% and 10.09% for June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. Results of Operations- Six and Three Month Periods ending June 30, 1996 compared to June 30, 199 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company's net income for the six month period ending June 30, 1996 was $4,570,338 compared to $4,428,246 for the same period in 1995. During the second quarter of 1995, the Bank received a favorable reversal of a legal judgement, net of tax of $348,920, which was previously recorded as a loss in 1991. Excluding this reversal, the net income for the six month period ending June 30, 1995 would have been $4,079,326 and compared to the current period, net income would have increased 12.04% in 1996. Net income was $2,262,870 and $2,540,139 for the second quarter ending June 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The decrease in net income for the second quarter of 1996 compared to 1995 is due to the reversal of the legal judgement previously mentioned. The annualized returns on average assets for the six month period ending June 30, 1996 and 1995 was 1.07% and 1.11%, respectively. Net interest income, the difference between interest earned on assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, is the largest component of the Company's net income. The primary items of concern in managing net interest income are the mix and maturity balance between interest-sensitive assets and related liabilities. The net interest income for the six month periods ending June 30, 1996 and 1995 was $18,871,245 and $18,533,061, respectively. The net interest income was $9,556,783 and $9,426,702 for the three month periods ending June 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Earning assets averaged $782.4 million for the six month period ending June 30, 1996 compared to $734.8 million for the same period in 1995. The net interest margin was 5.06% and 5.23% for the six month periods ending June 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The decrease in net interest margin is due to the increase in the volume and rate of costing liabilities in 1996. 7

The provision for loan losses charged to operating expense is an amount which, in the judgement of management, is necessary to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level that is adequate to meet the present and potential risks of losses on the Company's current portfolio of loans. The appropriate level of the allowance is based on a quarterly analysis of the loan portfolio including consideration of such factors as the risk rating of individual credits, size and diversity of the portfolio, economic conditions, prior loss experience, and the results of periodic credit reviews by internal loan review, regulators, and the Company's independent accounting firm. The provision for loan losses totaled $1,260,450 and $1,200,000 for the six month periods ending June 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of net loans outstanding was 1.67% and 1.70% as of June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. Net charge-offs to average loans was .23% and .05% for the six month periods ending June 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Noninterest income was $5,276,114 for the six month period ending June 30, 1996, compared to $4,423,298 for same period in 1995, or an increase of 19.28%. The majority of the increase between 1996 and 1995 is due to security gains of $161,423 in 1996 compared to security losses of $413,963 in 1995. The increase in deposits at June 30, 1996 compared to same period in 1995 resulted in an increase in service charges and fees and commissions. Noninterest income for the quarter ending June 30, 1996 increased $149,933 or 6.27% compared to the same period in 1995. The increase is due to security gains in the second quarter of 1996 compared to security losses in 1995 and an increase in the deposits resulted in more service charges and fees and commissions. Noninterest expenses were $16,355,147 for six month period ending June 30, 1996, compared to $15,510,058 for the same period 1995, or an increase of 5.45%. The components of noninterest expenses reflect normal increases for personnel related expenses and general inflation in the cost of services and supplies purchased by the Company. Noninterest expenses for the quarter ending June 30, 1996 increased $631,565 or 8.29% compared to the same period in 1995. The increase is mainly due to the reversal of the legal judgement in 1995 that was previously mentioned. Income tax expense was $1,961,424 for the six month period ending June 30, 1996, compared to $1,818,055 for the same period in 1995. The increase is due to increased profits for the six month period ending 1996 compared to 1995 and the Company paying State of Mississippi taxes after a net operating loss carryforward was depleted in the first quarter of 1995. The Company continues to invest in assets whose earnings are given favorable tax treatment. Liquidity Risk Liquidity management is the ability to meet the cash flow requirements of customers who may be either depositors wishing to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. Core deposits are a major source of funds used to meet cash flow needs. Maintaining the ability to acquire these funds as needed in a variety of money markets is the key to assuring liquidity. The Company has worked toward lowering its dependence on other public funds. This has added more stability to the Company's core deposit base reducing the dependence on highly liquid assets. 8

Approximately 89% of the Company's deposits are composed of accounts with balances less than $100,000. When evaluating the movement of these funds even during large interest rate changes, it is apparent that the Company continues to attract deposits that can be used to meet cash flow needs. Other sources available for meeting the Company's liquidity needs include the available-for-sale securities portfolio and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings. The portfolio is composed of securities with a readily available market that can be used to convert to cash if the need arises. In addition the Company maintains a federal funds position that provides day-to-day funds to meet liquidity needs. Capital Resources The Company is required to comply with the risk-based capital requirements of the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the OCC. These requirements apply a variety of weighing factors which vary according to the level of risk associated with the particular assets. The Company met the guidelines for a well capitalized bank for June 30, 1996, and December 31, 1995. The table below shows the capital ratios of the Company at the dates indicated: [CAPTION] June 30 December 31 Well- 1996 1995 Capitalized --------- ----------- ----------- [S] [C] [C] [C] Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital 15.55% 14.87% 6% or above Total Risk-Based Capital 16.80% 16.14% 10% or above Leverage Ratio 9.57% 9.67% 5% or above Retained earnings through operations have been the primary source of capital over the past six months. The ratio of shareholders' equity to total assets was 9.86% as of June 30, 1996, compared to 10.09% at December 31, 1995. Total shareholders' equity of the Company was $86,039,273 and $84,960,420 for June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. This represented an increase of $1,078,853 or 1.27%. Management recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong capital base. As the above ratios indicate, the Company exceeds the requirements for a well- capitalized bank. Book value per share was $22.02 and $21.75 at June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. Cash dividends were raised to $.19 per quarter, up from $.175 per share during the second quarter of 1995. The Company's capital policy is to evaluate future needs based on growth, earnings trends and anticipated acquisitions. 9

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings There were no material proceedings pending at June 30, 1996 against the registrant or its subsidiary. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders The annual meeting of the shareholders of The Peoples Holding Company was held on April 9, 1996, for the purpose of electing four members to the board of directors for a three year term, and to ratify the appointment of the independent auditors. Proxies for the meeting were solicited pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. [CAPTION] Election of Directors For Against Abstain [S] [C] [C] [C] William M. Beasley 2,105,918 3,265 495,577 Marshall H. Dickerson 2,103,550 5,633 495,577 A.M. Edwards, Jr. 2,102,291 6,892 495,577 Eugene B. Gifford, Jr. 2,104,240 4,943 495,577 Ratify appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for 1996 2,100,633 4,160 499,967 Item 6(b) Reports on Form 8-K The following 8-K was filed on May 20, 1996: The Board of Directors of The Peoples Holding Company, at the April board meeting, voted to declare a 50% stock dividend to shareholders of record April 30, 1996, to be issued on May 20, 1996. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY --------------------------- Registrant DATE: July 24, 1996 /s/ John W. Smith --------------------------- John W. Smith President & Chief Executive Officer 10

  

9 1000 6-MOS DEC-31-1996 JUN-30-1996 49488 2804 8000 0 197632 49315 49110 529967 8850 872195 765812 3126 10310 6908 0 0 19533 66506 872195 24770 7432 545 32747 13732 144 18871 1260 161 16355 6532 6532 0 0 4570 1.17 1.17 5.06 1992 2697 243 1000 8815 1363 137 8849 8849 0 1000