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 September 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 November 12, 1996






















                                       1

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY INDEX PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE Item 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995............. 3 Consolidated Statements of Income - Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.................... 4 Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.................... 4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Nine Months Ended September 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 6.(b) Reports on Form 8-K..................................... 10 Signatures.............................................. 10 2

[CAPTION] THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31 1996 1995 ------------ ----------- (Unaudited) (Note 1) [S] [C] [C] Assets Cash and due from banks ................ $ 48,332,727 $ 46,918,819 Federal Fund Sold ...................... 17,000,000 ---------- ---------- 48,332,727 63,918,819 Interest bearing balances with banks .... 107,635 8,814,411 Securities held-to-maturity (market value-$50,870,418 and $46,584,144 at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively) .................. 50,812,883 45,837,145 Securities available-for-sale (amortized cost-$196,020,792 and $170,056,282 at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively) .... 195,597,190 168,381,798 Loans .................................. 556,170,624 533,545,333 Unearned Income ..................... (8,705,911) (11,231,586) Allowance for loan losses ........... (9,013,681) (8,815,130) ----------- ------------ Net Loans ........................ 538,451,032 513,498,617 Premises and equipment ................. 20,697,570 20,323,492 Other assets ........................... 23,639,094 20,925,126 ----------- ------------ Total Assets .................. $ 877,638,131 $ 841,699,408 =========== ============ Liabilities Deposits: Noninterest-bearing ................. $ 118,639,941 $ 116,894,919 Certificates of deposit exceeding $100,000 ........................ 75,799,970 62,620,549 Interest bearing .................... 563,295,813 560,029,831 ------------ ------------ Total Deposits ............ 757,735,724 739,545,299 Treasury tax and loan note account ..... 10,000,000 2,400,495 Borrowings ............................. 10,034,954 4,313,109 Other liabilities ...................... 11,685,268 10,480,085 ------------ ------------ Total Liabilities ......... $ 789,455,946 $ 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 September 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 available-for-sale, net of tax ......... (265,596) 1,169,262 Retained earnings ....................... 29,038,610 30,891,562 ------------ ------------ Total Shareholders' Equity .... 88,182,185 84,960,420 ------------ ------------ Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity ........ $ 877,638,131 $ 841,699,408 ============ ============ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 3

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 1996 1995 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Interest Income Loans ................................ $ 37,534,320 $ 36,520,022 $ 12,764,539 $ 12,648,072 Securities: Taxable ......................... 9,152,374 7,411,152 3,068,053 2,598,563 Tax-exempt ...................... 2,116,570 2,060,993 768,450 700,299 Other ................................ 671,362 657,974 126,852 245,598 ------- ------- ----- ------- Total interest income ...... 49,474,626 46,650,141 16,727,894 16,192,532 Interest Expense Time deposits exceeding $100,000 ..... 2,857,708 2,405,411 1,014,664 866,922 Other deposits ....................... 17,730,990 15,837,862 5,842,221 5,649,314 Borrowings .......................... 300,842 290,180 157,168 92,669 ------- ------- ------ ------ Total interest expense ..... 20,889,540 18,533,453 7,014,053 6,608,905 ---------- ---------- --------- --------- Net interest income ........ 28,585,086 28,116,688 9,713,841 9,583,627 Provision for loan losses .................. 1,894,808 2,122,306 634,358 922,306 --------- --------- ------- ------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses .. 26,690,278 25,994,382 9,079,483 8,661,321 Noninterest income: Service charges on deposit accounts .. 4,888,371 4,488,585 1,676,670 1,432,707 Fees and commissions ................. 1,299,305 1,115,379 462,852 398,583 Trust department ..................... 405,000 391,500 135,000 130,500 Security gains(losses) ............... 191,723 (511,221) 30,300 (97,258) Other ................................ 1,176,964 2,390,944 380,427 1,587,357 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total noninterest income ... 7,961,363 7,875,187 2,685,249 3,451,889 Noninterest expenses: Salaries and employee benefits ....... 13,984,828 13,580,649 4,727,575 4,728,227 Net occupancy ........................ 1,649,284 1,635,728 530,204 522,460 Equipment ............................ 1,146,504 956,898 399,860 312,909 Other ................................ 8,075,320 7,641,460 2,843,150 2,741,081 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total noninterest expenses . 24,855,936 23,814,735 8,500,789 8,304,677 ---------- ---------- --------- --------- Income before income taxes ................. 9,795,705 10,054,834 3,263,943 3,808,533 Income taxes ............................... 2,946,622 2,989,827 985,198 1,171,772 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income ................. $ 6,849,083 $ 7,065,007 $ 2,278,745 $ 2,636,761 ========== ========== ============ ============ Earnings per share ........................ $ 1.75 $ 1.81 $ .58 $ .67 ====== ====== ====== ====== Weighted average shares outstanding ....... 3,906,675 3,906,675 3,906,675 3,906,675 ========= ========= ========= ========= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 4

[CAPTION] THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 1996 1995 ---- ---- (Unaudited) [S] [C] [C] Operating Activities Net Income ............................. $ 6,849,083 $ 7,065,007 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Provision for loan losses .............. 1,894,808 2,122,306 Provision for depreciation and amortization ...................... 1,604,176 1,398,537 Net amortization (accretion) of securities premiums/discounts ..... 84,331 1,579,392 Losses (gains) on sales/calls of securities ........................ (191,723) 511,221 Increase in other liabilities .......... 1,205,183 1,823,888 Deferred income tax (credits)........... 180,740 (331,727) Gain on sale of loans .................. (585,304) Losses (gains) on sales of premises and equipment ............ (78,651) 13,917 Increase in other assets ............... (1,087,010) (1,952,719) -------- ---------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities ................... 10,460,937 11,644,518 Investing Activities Net (increase) decrease in balances with other banks .................. 8,706,776 (489,778) Proceeds from maturities/calls of securities held-to-maturity ....... 2,361,056 1,349,041 Proceeds from maturities/calls of securities available-for-sale ..... 42,748,943 52,003,805 Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale ..... 23,691,723 26,511,221 Purchases of securities held-to-maturity .................. (7,367,988) (4,726,114) Purchases of securities available-for-sale ................ (95,791,972) (82,796,018) Net increase in loans .................. (28,253,132) (36,526,651) Proceeds from sales of loans ........... 12,690,078 Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment ..................... 84,636 167,504 Purchases of premises and equipment .... (1,546,377) (2,903,074) ---------- ---------- Net Cash Used in Investing Activities ................... (55,366,335) (34,719,986) Financing Activities Net (increase) decrease in noninterest-bearing deposits ...... 1,745,022 (2,421,374) Net increase in certificate of deposits exceeding $100,000 ................. 13,179,421 7,560,200 Net increase in other interest-bearing deposits .......... 3,265,982 26,596,533 Net increase (decrease) in treasury tax and loan note account ......... 7,599,505 (8,702) Net increase (decrease) in borrowings .. 5,721,845 (246,950) Cash dividends paid .................... (2,192,469) (1,992,646) ---------- ---------- Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities ................... 29,319,306 29,487,061 ---------- ---------- Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents ......... (15,586,092) 6,411,593 Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of period ............... 63,918,819 45,273,177 ---------- ---------- Cash and Cash Equivalents at end of period ..................... $ 48,332,727 $ 51,684,770 ============ ============ Non-cash transactions: Transfer of loans to other real estate .............................. $ 1,405,909 $ 1,912,124 ============ ============ See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 5

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) SEPTEMBER 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 for a fair presentation 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 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. Beginning in 1996, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 122 "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing rights, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 65." Under this new standard, the company is required to capitalize the cost of mortgage servicing rights separate from the cost of originating the loan, when a definitive plan to sell or securitize the loan and retain the mortgage servicing rights exists. The adoption of this new standard did not have a significant impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. 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 third quarter of 1995 to $.19 per share for the third 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 $877,638,131 on September 30, 1996, or 4.27% for the nine month period. Total securities increased from $214,218,943 on December 31, 1995, to $246,410,073 on September 30, 1996, in accordance with management's strategic plan. Loans, net of unearned income, increased $25,150,966 or 4.82% comparing September 30, 1996 to December 31, 1995. Total deposits for the first nine months of 1996 grew from $739,545,299 on December 31, 1995 to $757,735,724 on September 30, 1996, or an increase of 2.46%, with the majority of growth in certificates of deposit exceeding $100,000. The Treasury tax and loan note account increased $7,599,505 due to short-term borrowings made in September 1996. The Company also borrowed, on a short-term note, approximately $4,000,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank, which increased borrowings for 1996 compared to 1995. The short-term borrowings were subsequently paid in October 1996. The equity capital to total assets ratio was 10.05% and 10.09% at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. Results of Operations-September 30, 1996 compared to September 30, 1995 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company's net income for the nine month period ending September 30, 1996 was $6,849,083 compared to $7,065,007 for the same period in 1995. The following factors affect the comparability of net income for the nine month periods ending September 30, 1996 and 1995. Effective September 30, 1996, the Company was assessed a one-time charge of approximately $240,000 ($150,000 net of tax) by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to re-capitalize the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF). All Oakar financial institutions were assessed based on their deposit base at March 31, 1995. Also, during the third quarter of 1995, the Company realized a gain on the sale of loans totalling approximately $330,000, net of tax. These were 25 to 30 year mortgages that were sold based on management's strategic plan. Finally, 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 expenses as a loss in 1991. The annualized returns on average assets for the nine month periods ending September 30, 1996 and 1995 were 1.06% and 1.16%, respectively. Net income was $2,278,745 and $2,636,761 for the third quarter ending September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The decrease in net income for the third quarter of 1996 compared to 1995 is due to the FDIC assessment in 1996 and gain on loans in 1995, previously mentioned. 7

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 interest-sensitive liabilities. Net interest income for the nine month periods ending September 30, 1996 and 1995 was $28,585,086 and $28,116,688, respectively. Net interest income was $9,713,841 and $9,583,627 for the three month periods ending September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Earning assets averaged $770.6 million for the nine month period ending September 30, 1996 compared to $740.7 million for the same period in 1995. Net interest margin was 5.08% and 5.24% for the nine month periods ending September 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. 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 $1,894,808 and $2,122,306 for the nine month periods ending September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of net loans outstanding was 1.65% and 1.69% as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. Net charge-offs to average loans was .32% and .35% for the nine month periods ending September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Noninterest income was $7,961,363 for the nine month period ending September 30, 1996, compared to $7,875,187 for the same period in 1995. The increase between 1996 and 1995 is due to the net effect of security gains of $191,723 in 1996 compared to security losses of $511,221 in 1995, offset by the gain of approximately $525,000, before tax, from loans sold in the third quarter of 1995. The increase in deposits at September 30, 1996 compared to same period in 1995 resulted in an increase in service charges along with fees and commissions. Noninterest income for the quarter ending September 30, 1996 decreased $766,640 or 22.21% compared to the same period in 1995. The decrease is mainly due to the gain on loans sold in the third quarter of 1995 and the reversal of a legal judgement in second quarter of 1995 of approximately $585,000 that was expensed in 1991. All other categories under noninterest income were up in the third quarter of 1996 compared to 1995 due to increase in deposit base and security gains in 1996 versus security losses in 1995. Noninterest expenses were $24,855,936 for nine month period ending September 30, 1996, compared to $23,814,735 for the same period 1995, or an increase of 4.37%. 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 September 30, 1996 increased $196,112 or 2.36% compared to the same period in 1995. In the third quarter of 1996, the Company offered an early retirement package to certain employees, which resulted in a lower cost of salaries in the third quarter of 1996 compared to 1995. Income tax expense was $2,946,622 for the nine month period ending September 30, 1996, compared to $2,989,827 for the same period in 1995. The decrease is due to decreased profits for the nine month period ending September 30, 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. 8

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 continues to maintain a satisfactory level of dependency on other public funds. This has added stability to the Company's core deposit base stabilizing the dependency on highly liquid assets. Approximately 90% of the Company's deposits are composed of accounts withbalances less than $100,000. When evaluating the movement of these funds even during times of 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 available-for-sale portfolio is composed of securities with a readily available market and can be used to convert to cash if the need arises. In addition the Company will maintain a federal funds position which 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 at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995. The table below shows the capital ratios of the Company at the dates indicated: [CAPTION] September 30 December 31 Well- 1996 1995 Capitalized --------- ----------- ----------- [S] [C] [C] [C] Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital 15.11% 14.87% 6% or above Total Risk-Based Capital 16.37% 16.14% 10% or above Leverage Ratio 9.69% 9.67% 5% or above Retained earnings through operations have been the primary source of capital over the past nine months. The ratio of shareholders' equity to total assets was 10.05% as of September 30, 1996, compared to 10.09% at December 31, 1995. Total shareholders' equity of the Company was $88,182,185 and $84,960,420 at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. This represented an increase of $3,221,765 or 3.79%. 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 $22.57 and $21.75 at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively. Quarterly cash dividends were raised to $.19 per share, up from $.175 per share in 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 September 30, 1996, against the registrant or its subsidiary. Item 6(b) Reports on Form 8-K No reports on Form 8-K were filed in the third quarter ending September 30, 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: November 12, 1996 /s/ John W. Smith --------------------------- John W. Smith President & Chief Executive Officer 10

  

9 1000 9-MOS DEC-31-1996 SEP-30-1996 48333 108 0 0 195597 50813 50870 547465 9014 877638 757736 14035 11685 6000 0 0 19533 68649 877638 37534 11269 671 49475 20589 301 28585 1895 192 24856 9796 9796 0 0 6849 1.75 1.75 5.08 1555 3121 0 0 8815 1908 212 9014 9014 0 0