Alston & Bird represented The First Bancshares in its $1.2 billion merger with Renasant Corporation, combining two of the largest banks headquartered in Mississippi and creating a six-state Southeast banking franchise with approximately $25 billion in total assets. The all-stock transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.
Representing The First Bancshares was an Alston & Bird team led by partner Mark Kanaly (Corporate & Finance); partners Will Hooper and Cliff Stanford, senior associate Nathan Tyre, and associates Zach Newquist and Janelle Owusu (Financial Services); and partner Meredith Gage, counsel Kerry Wenzel, and associate Cremeithius Riggins (Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation).