UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                      Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
                      The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                         Date of Report - July 18, 2002


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


               Mississippi         1-13253        64-0676974
               -----------         -------        ----------
               (State or           (Commission    (I.R.S. Iden-
               other                file          tification
               jurisdiction)        number)       number)


                209 Troy Street, Tupelo, Mississippi 38802-0709
                ------------------------------------ ----------
              (Address of principal executive officers) (Zip Code)

                  Registrant's Telephone Number: (662)680-1001

ITEM 1: CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT. --------------------------------- Not applicable ITEM 2: ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. ------------------------------------- Not applicable ITEM 3: BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP. --------------------------- Not applicable ITEM 4: CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANTS. ----------------------------------------------- Not applicable ITEM 5: OTHER EVENTS. ------------- At the close of business on July 17, 2002, The Peoples Holding Company issued a press release concerning its earnings and results for the second quarter of 2002. ITEM 6: RESIGNATION OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS. -------------------------------------- Not applicable ITEM 7: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. ---------------------------------- 99.1 Press Release, dated July 17, 2002, issued by The Peoples Holding Company. ITEM 8: CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR. ---------------------- Not applicable ITEM 9: SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. ---------------------------------------------------- Not applicable

SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on it's behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorzied. THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY --------------------------- Registrant /s/ E. Robinson McGraw --------------------------- E. Robinson McGraw President & Chief Executive Officer DATE: July 18, 2002

EXHIBIT 99.1
                                       The Peoples Holding Company (AMEX:PHC)
                                       P.O. Box 709
                                       Tupelo, MS 38801-0709
                                       Phone: (662) 680-1001
                                       Fax: (662) 680-1234
                                       www.thepeoplesbankandtrust.com


Press Release
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
For additional information, contact:

        Jim Gray
        Executive Vice President, Investor Relations and Planning Director
        (662) 680-1217

        Stuart Johnson
        Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
        (662) 680-1472

Date:  July 17, 2002


           PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY RECORD QUARTERLY EARNINGS UP 33.3%

The Peoples  Holding  Company (the  Company)(AMEX:  PHC)  reported  today record
results for second  quarter 2002,  bettering the record  results  posted for the
comparable period in 2001.  Earnings per share for the second quarter were $.80,
compared to $.60 for the same  period one year ago,  an increase of 33.33%,  and
net income was  $4,489,000  compared to $3,587,000  for the same period in 2001.
Net interest  income for second  quarter  2002 was up 14.69% while  non-interest
income increased 13.75% for the same period. These results generated a return on
average equity for second  quarter 2002 of 14.36%  compared to 11.21% for second
quarter 2001,  and a return on average  assets for second  quarter 2002 of 1.37%
compared to 1.13% for the comparable period in 2001.

We have now had six  consecutive  quarters  of record  core  earnings,  noted E.
Robinson McGraw,  President & CEO. "These results reflect our strategic focus on
asset  quality,  margin  improvement,  non-interest  income,  operating  expense
control,  capital  management  and  growth.  Although  we are  pleased  with our
earnings  results,  the progress on our  strategic  plan and the  prospects  for
continuing  our positive  performance,  we will not be satisfied  until we are a
top-performing company compared to our peers."

Stock Price, Dividends And Repurchases

The market price of The Peoples  Holding  Company shares was $41.00 per share at
June 30, 2002,  an increase of 24.20% from $33.01 at June 30,  2001.  "I believe
this  significant gain in share price to be a direct result of our commitment to
both earnings improvement and capital management," McGraw said.

The Company announced an increase in its quarterly dividend to $.26 per share on
June 18,  increasing  the annual  dividend  to $1.04.  This marks the  sixteenth
consecutive year of dividend increases.

Since January  2002,  the Company has  repurchased  97,806  shares,  or 1.71% of
shares  outstanding,  at an average purchase price of $34.87 per share.  Peoples
initiated a tender  offer on April 16, 2001 to purchase up to 604,312  shares or
approximately 10% of its common shares outstanding. Since that time, the Company
has repurchased a total of approximately 436,000 shares.

Financial Details "For second quarter 2002, the net interest margin improved to 4.75% compared to 4.43% for 2001, continuing to reflect our proactive stance on pricing", noted McGraw. The provision for loan losses decreased to $1,075,000 for second quarter 2002 from $1,125,000 for the same period in 2001. Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans remains unchanged at 1.39% at June 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans was .15% for second quarter 2002 compared to .10% for the same period in 2001. Non-performing loans decreased to .44% for second quarter 2002 compared with .73% for the same period in 2001. The Company's non-performing loan coverage ratio stood at 317% for the quarter compared to 191% for second quarter 2001. "Our asset quality continues to improve as a result of our commitment to credit scoring, central credit analysis and central collections," McGraw stated. Total non-interest income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2002 and 2001 was $6,650,000 and $5,846,000, respectively, an increase of 13.75%. "With non-interest income representing 33% of net interest income and non-interest income combined, growth of this diversified revenue stream remains strong. It underscores the fact that we are increasingly meeting the total financial needs of our clients through the sale of insurance and investment products as well as traditional banking services. Significant gains in non-interest income have been generated through fees on the sale of insurance and investments, mortgage loan fees, service charges, fiduciary services and bank owned life insurance among others," McGraw said. Second quarter 2002 non-interest expense increased 10.12% over that of second quarter 2001. This increase was due primarily to increasing health insurance costs and increases in computer depreciation related to a number of recent technology upgrades. Net non-interest expense as a percentage of assets has remained relatively steady at 1.81% for second quarter 2002 as compared to 1.80% for the same period in 2001. In addition, the efficiency ratio improved for the second quarter from 62.30% in 2001 to 60.54% for 2002. Conference Call Information A live audio Webcast of a conference call with analysts will be available beginning at 9 A. M. Central time on Monday, July 22 through the Investor Relations page of our website, www.thepeoplesbankandtrust.com; through www.streetevents.com or any of CCBN's distribution network. The event will be archived for 90 days. The conference may also be heard live via telephone by dialing 877-279-3019 and entering the conference I. D. number, 4431755. A digital telephone recording of the conference call, available two hours after the event and available for 48 hours, may be accessed by dialing 1-800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291 and entering the conference I. D. number, 4431755. About The Peoples Holding Company The Peoples Holding Company is the parent of Mississippi's fourth largest commercial bank headquartered in the state. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Peoples Bank & Trust Company, the Company is also parent of The Peoples Insurance Agency, Inc. The Peoples Bank has assets of approximately $1.3 billion and operates 40 community banking offices in 27 north and north central Mississippi cities.

Note To Investors This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding The Peoples Holding Company. All forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to, interest rate fluctuation, regulatory changes, portfolio performance and other factors discussed in our recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Peoples Holding Company Selected Financial Information (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data) Unaudited For The Three Months Ended June 30, For The Six Months Ended June 30, -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Core Earnings Summary * 2002 2001 % Change 2002 2001 % Change ----------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Reported net income ............................. $ 4,489 $ 3,587 25.15 % $ 7,254 $ 6,889 5.30 % Goodwill amortization, net of tax ............... - 102 (100.00) - 204 (100.00) Transitional goodwill impairment ................ - - - 1,300 - - ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Core net income ................................. $ 4,489 $ 3,689 21.69 % $ 8,554 $ 7,093 20.60 % =========== =========== ========== =========== =========== ========== Basic and diluted earnings per share: Reported net income ............................. $ 0.80 $ 0.60 33.33 % $ 1.29 $ 1.15 12.17 % Goodwill amortization, net of tax ............... - 0.02 (100.00) - 0.03 (100.00) Transitional goodwill impairment ................ - - - 0.23 - - ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Core net income ................................. $ 0.80 $ 0.62 29.03 % $ 1.52 $ 1.18 28.81 % =========== =========== ========== =========== =========== ========== * The table above presents net income for the prior periods as reported as well as core net income, which has been adjusted for the exclusion of goodwill amortization and the cumulative effect of the transitional goodwill impairment.

For The Three Months Ended June 30, For The Six Months Ended June 30, -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Earnings Summary 2002 2001 % Change 2002 2001 % Change ---------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Interest income ................................. $ 19,971 $ 22,422 (10.93)% $ 39,500 $ 45,095 (12.41)% Interest expense ................................ 6,720 10,868 (38.17) 13,810 22,459 (38.51) ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Net interest income ............................. 13,251 11,554 14.69 25,690 22,636 13.49 Provision for loan losses ....................... 1,075 1,125 (4.44) 2,200 2,250 (2.22) Noninterest income .............................. 6,650 5,846 13.75 13,259 11,576 14.54 Noninterest expenses ............................ 12,526 11,375 10.12 24,824 22,430 10.67 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Income before taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change ....................... 6,300 4,900 28.57 11,925 9,532 25.10 Income taxes .................................... 1,811 1,313 37.93 3,371 2,643 27.54 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Net income before cumulative effect of accounting change ....................... 4,489 3,587 25.15 8,554 6,889 24.17 Cumulative effect of accounting change .......... - - - (1,300) - - ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Net income ...................................... $ 4,489 $ 3,587 25.15 % $ 7,254 $ 6,889 5.30 % =========== =========== ========== =========== =========== ========== Common Stock Data ----------------- Earnings per share - basic and diluted: Income before cumulative effect of accounting change ....................... $ 0.80 $ 0.60 33.33 % $ 1.52 $ 1.15 32.17 % Cumulative effect of accounting change ....... - - - (0.23) - - ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Net income ................................... 0.80 0.60 33.33 1.29 1.15 12.17 =========== =========== ========== =========== =========== ========== Book value per share ............................ 22.60 21.13 6.96 Market value per share .......................... 41.00 33.01 24.20 Cash dividends per share ........................ 0.26 0.24 8.33 0.51 0.47 8.51 Weighted average shares outstanding ............. 5,614,265 5,935,987 (5.42) 5,635,854 5,992,167 (5.95) Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted ... 5,622,047 5,935,987 (5.29) 5,641,245 5,992,167 (5.86) End of period shares outstanding ................ 5,606,874 5,807,568 (3.46) Balance Sheet Summary --------------------- Total loans ..................................... $ 835,789 $ 820,475 1.87 % Allowance for loan losses ....................... 11,658 11,403 2.24 Total investment securities ..................... 344,752 283,993 21.39 Total assets .................................... 1,310,925 1,240,074 5.71 Total deposits .................................. 1,106,793 1,067,855 3.65 Total borrowings ................................ 59,416 29,896 98.74 Shareholders' equity ............................ 126,717 122,688 3.28

For The Three Months Ended June 30, For The Six Months Ended June 30, -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Selected Ratios 2002 2001 % Change 2002 2001 % Change --------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Return on average assets * ...................... 1.37 % 1.13 % 21.24 % 1.19 % 1.11 % 7.21 % Return on average shareholders' equity * ........ 14.36 11.21 28.10 12.50 10.91 14.57 Adjusted for cumulative effect of accounting change: Core return on average assets* .............. 1.37 1.16 18.10 1.29 1.14 13.16 Core return on average shareholders' equity*. 14.36 11.54 24.44 13.54 11.24 20.46 Shareholders' equity to assets (actual) ......... 9.67 9.89 (2.22) Net interest margin (TE) * ...................... 4.75 4.43 7.22 4.67 4.37 6.86 Allowance for loan losses to total loans ........ 1.39 1.39 - Reserve coverage of nonperforming loans ......... 317.57 191.62 65.73 Average loans to average deposits ............... 74.76 76.52 (2.30) 74.82 76.64 (2.37) Average earning assets to average assets ........ 90.51 91.18 (0.73) 90.43 91.38 (1.04) Nonperforming loans to total loans .............. 0.44 0.73 (39.73) Net charge-offs to average loans * .............. 0.59 0.39 51.28 0.46 0.34 35.29 Noninterest income (less securities gains/losses) to average assets* ............... 2.02 1.90 6.32 2.00 1.88 6.38 Noninterest expense to average assets* .......... 3.83 3.70 3.51 3.82 3.66 4.37 Overhead ratio * ................................ 1.81 1.80 0.56 1.82 1.78 2.25 Efficiency ratio ................................ 60.54 62.30 (2.83) 61.28 62.44 (1.86) Nonperforming Assets -------------------- Nonaccruing loans ............................... $ 832 $ 2,228 (62.66)% Accruing loans past due 90 days or more ......... 2,839 3,723 (23.74) ----------- ----------- ---------- Total nonperforming loans .................. 3,671 5,951 (38.31) ORE and repossessions ........................... 3,092 2,351 31.52 ----------- ----------- ---------- Total nonperforming assets ................. $ 6,763 $ 8,302 (18.54)% =========== =========== ========== * Ratios annualized TE - taxable equivalent basis

The Peoples Holding Company Allowance for Loan Losses (Dollars in Thousands) Unaudited For The Three Months Ended June 30, For The Six Months Ended June 30, -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- 2002 2001 % Change 2002 2001 % Change ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Reserve for loan losses at beginning of period .. $ 11,811 $ 11,067 6.72 % $ 11,354 $ 10,536 7.76 % Provision for loan losses ....................... 1,075 1,125 (4.44) 2,200 2,250 (2.22) Loans charged-off ............................... 1,310 871 50.40 2,296 1,573 45.96 Recoveries of loans previously charged-off ...... 82 82 - 400 190 110.53 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Reserve for loan losses at end of period ........ $ 11,658 $ 11,403 2.24 % $ 11,658 $ 11,403 2.24 % =========== =========== ========== =========== =========== ========== The Peoples Holding Company Loans and Credit Quality (Dollars in Thousands) Unaudited Loans, Net Charge-offs Net of Unearned Income Non-performing Loans For The Six Months Ended As of June 30, As of June 30, June 30, ------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Commercial, financial, agricultural ............. $ 152,321 $ 159,469 $ 563 $ 601 $ 463 $ 367 Real estate - construction ...................... 31,889 27,542 159 117 88 18 Real estate - mortgage .......................... 552,541 517,173 2,736 4,518 926 304 Consumer ........................................ 99,038 116,291 213 715 419 694 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Total ...................................... $ 835,789 $ 820,475 $ 3,671 $ 5,951 $ 1,896 $ 1,383 =========== =========== ========== =========== =========== ==========

The Peoples Holding Company Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data) Unaudited For The Three Months Ended June 30, For The Six Months Ended June 30, -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- 2002 2001 % Change 2002 2001 % Change ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Interest income: Loans ....................................... $ 15,347 $ 17,966 (14.58)% $ 30,664 $ 36,146 (15.17)% Securities .................................. 4,599 4,231 8.70 8,633 8,363 3.23 Other ....................................... 25 225 (88.89) 203 586 (65.36) ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Total interest income ................. 19,971 22,422 (10.93) 39,500 45,095 (12.41) Interest expense: Deposits .................................... 6,123 10,508 (41.73) 12,627 21,728 (41.89) Borrowings .................................. 597 360 65.83 1,183 731 61.83 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Total interest expense ................ 6,720 10,868 (38.17) 13,810 22,459 (38.51) Net interest income ................... 13,251 11,554 14.69 25,690 22,636 13.49 Provision for loan losses ....................... 1,075 1,125 (4.44) 2,200 2,250 (2.22) ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses ................... 12,176 10,429 16.75 23,490 20,386 15.23 Noninterest income: Service charges on deposit accounts ......... 3,064 2,816 8.81 6,000 5,608 6.99 Fees and commissions ........................ 2,226 1,665 33.69 4,275 3,453 23.81 Trust revenue ............................... 231 265 (12.83) 462 530 (12.83) Gains on sale of securities ................. 8 2 300.00 8 45 (82.22) Other ....................................... 1,121 1,098 2.09 2,514 1,940 29.59 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Total noninterest income .............. 6,650 5,846 13.75 13,259 11,576 14.54 Noninterest expenses: Salaries and employee benefits .............. 7,390 6,346 16.45 14,319 12,423 15.26 Data processing ............................. 959 869 10.36 1,881 1,727 8.92 Net occupancy ............................... 777 777 - 1,584 1,605 (1.31) Equipment ................................... 790 733 7.78 1,594 1,462 9.03 Other ....................................... 2,610 2,650 (1.51) 5,446 5,213 4.47 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Total noninterest expenses ............ 12,526 11,375 10.12 24,824 22,430 10.67 Income before taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change ........................ 6,300 4,900 28.57 11,925 9,532 25.10 Income taxes .................................... 1,811 1,313 37.93 3,371 2,643 27.54 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Net income before cumulative effect of accounting change ........................ 4,489 3,587 25.15 8,554 6,889 24.17 Cumulative effect of accounting change .......... - - - (1,300) - - ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Net income ...................................... $ 4,489 $ 3,587 25.15 % $ 7,254 $ 6,889 5.30 % =========== =========== ========== =========== =========== ==========

The Peoples Holding Company Average Consolidated Balance Sheet and Net Interest Analysis * (Dollars in Thousands) Unaudited For The Three Months For The Six Months Ended June 30 Ended June 30 ------------------------- ------------------------ 2002 2001 2002 2001 ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- Earning Assets: Loans and leases: Interest (TE) ............................. $ 15,465 $ 18,121 $ 30,910 $ 36,449 Average balance ........................... 830,748 812,473 824,301 810,862 Yield ..................................... 7.47% 8.95% 7.56% 9.06% Interest bearing bank balances, federal funds sold and repos: Interest .................................. 25 225 203 586 Average balance ........................... 4,863 19,617 23,801 23,266 Yield ..................................... 2.06% 4.60% 1.72% 5.08% Investment securities: Interest (TE) ............................. 5,269 4,936 9,948 9,772 Average balance ........................... 347,245 288,129 324,861 285,494 Yield ..................................... 6.09% 6.81% 6.18% 6.84% Total earning assets: Interest (TE) ........................ 20,759 23,282 41,061 46,807 Average balance ...................... 1,182,856 1,120,219 1,172,963 1,119,622 Yield ................................ 7.04% 8.32% 7.06% 8.41% Interest Bearing Liabilities: Interest bearing demand deposit accounts: Interest .................................. 422 554 839 1,176 Average balance ........................... 94,330 77,607 93,453 77,219 Rate ...................................... 1.79% 2.86% 1.81% 3.07% Savings and money market accounts: Interest .................................. 1,169 1,701 2,343 3,734 Average balance ........................... 293,261 251,988 291,570 255,172 Rate ...................................... 1.60% 2.71% 1.62% 2.95% Time deposits: Interest .................................. 4,532 8,253 9,445 16,818 Average balance ........................... 569,184 586,144 563,882 583,908 Rate ...................................... 3.19% 5.65% 3.38% 5.81% Total interest bearing deposits: Interest ............................. 6,123 10,508 12,627 21,728 Average balance ...................... 956,775 915,739 948,905 916,299 Rate ................................. 2.57% 4.60% 2.68% 4.78% Other interest bearing liabilities: Interest .................................. 597 360 1,183 731 Average balance ........................... 55,155 24,000 54,622 24,079 Rate ...................................... 4.34% 6.02% 4.37% 6.12% Total interest bearing liabilities: Interest ............................. 6,720 10,868 13,810 22,459 Average balance ...................... 1,011,930 939,739 1,003,527 940,378 Rate ................................. 2.66% 4.64% 2.78% 4.82% Net interest income (TE) ........................ $ 14,039 $ 12,414 $ 27,251 $ 24,348 Net interest margin (TE) ........................ 4.75% 4.43% 4.67% 4.37% * Interest amounts annualized for purposes of calculating yields and rates TE - taxable equivalent basis