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<TITLE>BANCORPSOUTH, INC. - FORM S-8</TITLE>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December&nbsp;30, 2004</B>



<P align="right" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B>&#091;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#149;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#093;



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, DC 20549</B>
</DIV>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE<BR>
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>BANCORPSOUTH, INC.</B>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</DIV>

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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Mississippi</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>64-0659571</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>One Mississippi Plaza<BR>
201 South Spring Street<BR>
Tupelo, MS 38804</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Premier Bancorp, Inc.<BR>
1998 Stock Option Plan<BR>
Premier Bancorp, Inc.<BR>
1998 Outside Director Stock Option Plan<BR>
Business Holding Corporation<BR>
Individual Stock Options</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Aubrey B. Patterson<BR>
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
BancorpSouth, Inc.<BR>
One Mississippi Plaza<BR>
201 South Spring Street<BR>
Tupelo, MS 38804</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(662)&nbsp;680-2000</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">With copies to:<BR>
<B>E. Marlee Mitchell, Esq.<BR>
Waller Lansden Dortch &#038; Davis, PLLC<BR>
511 Union Street, Suite&nbsp;2700<BR>
Nashville, Tennessee 37219-1760<BR>
(615)&nbsp;244-6380</B>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>


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    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount To Be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration</B></TD>
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<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title Of Securities To Be Registered</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registered (1)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Per Share (2)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Price (2)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Fee</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
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    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Common Stock of BancorpSouth, Inc.,
par value $2.50 per share (3)</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">385,848</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right"></TD>
    <TD align="right">$24.17</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">9,325,946.16</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">1,097.66</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">This Registration Statement relates to the registration of securities reserved for issuance
under options assumed by the Registrant in connection with negotiated acquisitions.</TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, solely for purposes of calculating the amount of the registration fee, based upon the
average of the high and low prices per share of the Registrant&#146;s
common stock on December&nbsp;27, 2004, as reported
on the New York Stock Exchange.</TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Includes attached rights to purchase shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock under the
Registrant&#146;s shareholder rights plan. Prior to the occurrence of certain events, none of which have
occurred as of the date of the filing hereof, the rights will not be exercisable or evidenced
separately from the Registrant&#146;s common stock.</TD>
</TR>

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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#002">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g92417s8exv5.txt">EX-5 OPINION OF RILEY, CALDWELL, CORK & ALVIS, P.A</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g92417s8exv23w1.txt">EX-23.1 CONSENT OF KPMG LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g92417s8exv99w1.txt">EX-99.1 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g92417s8exv99w2.txt">EX-99.2 1998 OUTSIDE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g92417s8exv99w3.txt">EX-99.3 FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g92417s8exv99w4.txt">EX-99.4 FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT</A></TD></TR>
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September&nbsp;17, 2004, between the
Registrant and Business Holding Corporation (&#147;BHC&#148;), and pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of September&nbsp;17, 2004, between the Registrant and Premier Bancorp, Inc. (&#147;PBI&#148;),
each of BHC and PBI will be merged with and into the Registrant
effective as of December&nbsp;31, 2004. All outstanding options to
purchase shares of common stock of BHC and PBI granted pursuant to the corresponding stock option
plans or agreements prior to the merger will be converted into options to purchase shares of
common stock of the Registrant, subject to appropriate adjustments to the number of shares subject
to each option and the exercise price thereof. Each such converted option will be otherwise
exercisable on substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to
the corresponding merger. This Registration Statement registers the
shares of the Registrant&#146;s common
stock issuable upon the exercise of such options.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART I</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 (plan information and
Registrant information) will be sent or given to those individuals who held options issued by BHC
or PBI on the date of the mergers with and into the Registrant and who by the terms of the merger
agreements will receive, in exchange for their options to acquire
shares of BHC or PBI common
stock, options to acquire shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock, as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). Such documents need not be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or
as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 under the Securities Act. These
documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to
Item&nbsp;3 of Part&nbsp;II of this Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the
requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART II</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by
the Registrant are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2003;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March&nbsp;31, 2004;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June&nbsp;30, 2004;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(d)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September&nbsp;30,
2004;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(e)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock contained in the registration
statement on Form 8-A dated May&nbsp;14, 1997;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(f)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock purchase rights contained in
the registration statements on Form 8-A and Form 8-A/A dated May&nbsp;14, 1997 and
March&nbsp;28, 2001;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(g)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October&nbsp;19, 2004; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(h)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated September&nbsp;20, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date hereof, and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that the securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters the securities offered hereby then remaining unsold, shall also be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof commencing on
the respective dates on which such documents are filed. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that
a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this Registration Statement.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">A.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BancorpSouth&#146;s restated articles of incorporation provide that it will indemnify, and upon
request advance expenses to, any person (or his estate) who was or is a party to, or is threatened
to be made a party to, any legal proceeding because he is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of BancorpSouth, or is or was serving at the request of BancorpSouth as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership or other entity, against
any liability incurred in that proceeding (a)&nbsp;to the full extent permitted by Section&nbsp;79-4-8.51 of
the Mississippi Business Corporation Act, and (b)&nbsp;despite the fact that such person did not meet
the standard of conduct set forth in Section&nbsp;79-4-8.51(a) of the Mississippi Business Corporation
Act or would be disqualified for indemnification under Section&nbsp;79-4-8.51(d) of the Mississippi
Business Corporation Act, if a determination is made by a person or persons enumerated in Section
79-4-8.55(b) of the Mississippi Business Corporation Act that (i)&nbsp;the person seeking indemnity is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all of the relevant circumstances, and
(ii)&nbsp;his acts or omissions did not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct. A request for
reimbursement or advancement of expenses prior to final disposition of the proceeding must be
accompanied by an undertaking to repay the advances if it is ultimately determined that he is not
entitled to indemnification and he did not meet the requisite standard of conduct, but it need not
be accompanied by an affirmation that the person seeking indemnity believed he has met the standard
of conduct. BancorpSouth may, to the full extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of any such person against any liability which may be asserted against him.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-1
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BancorpSouth&#146;s amended and restated bylaws provide that it will indemnify any person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any legal proceeding (other than a derivative
action for which indemnification is described below) because he is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of BancorpSouth, or is or was serving at the request of BancorpSouth as a
director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership or other
entity, against any expenses or awards actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection therewith to the fullest extent provided in BancorpSouth&#146;s restated articles of
incorporation and by law. BancorpSouth also will indemnify any person who was or is or is
threatened to be made a party to any derivative suit with respect to BancorpSouth because that
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of BancorpSouth, or is or was serving at
the request of BancorpSouth as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership or other entity, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action unless he is found to have
breached his duty to BancorpSouth to discharge his duties in good faith and with the care which an
ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances, and in a
manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of BancorpSouth, unless, despite such
finding of liability, the court determines that he is entitled to indemnity. BancorpSouth&#146;s amended
and restated bylaws also provide that BancorpSouth may (i)&nbsp;advance to the person seeking indemnity
the expenses incurred in defending a proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking that he will repay
amounts advanced unless it ultimately is determined that he is entitled to be indemnified, and (ii)
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of BancorpSouth, or is or was serving at the request of BancorpSouth as a director,
officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership or other entity,
against any liability arising out of his acting as such, whether or not BancorpSouth would have the
power to indemnify him against such liability under BancorpSouth&#146;s amended and restated bylaws.


<P>
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<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">B.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Mississippi Business Corporation Act.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to the foregoing provisions of BancorpSouth&#146;s restated articles of incorporation
and amended and restated bylaws, officers and directors of BancorpSouth and its subsidiaries may be
indemnified by BancorpSouth pursuant to Sections&nbsp;79-4-8.50 through 79-4-8.59 of the Mississippi
Business Corporation Act.


<P>
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<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">C.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Insurance.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BancorpSouth maintains and pays premiums on an insurance policy on behalf of its officers and
directors against liability asserted against or incurred by such persons in or arising from their
capacity as such.


<P>
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<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">D.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>SEC Policy on Indemnification.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers or persons controlling BancorpSouth pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
BancorpSouth has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.</B>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Number</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Description</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Specimen Common Stock Certificate (1)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Rights Agreements, dated as of April&nbsp;24, 1991, including as Exhibit&nbsp;A the forms of Rights
Certificate and Election to Purchase and as Exhibit&nbsp;B the Summary of Rights to Purchase
Common Shares (2)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of March&nbsp;28, 2001 (3)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Riley, Caldwell, Cork &#038; Alvis, P.A.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of KPMG LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Riley, Caldwell, Cork &#038; Alvis, P.A. (included in opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Power of Attorney (included on page II-5 hereof)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Premier Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Premier Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Outside Director Stock Option Plan</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Form of Stock Option Agreement for converted Business Holding Corporation Options (Vesting)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.4</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Form of Stock Option Agreement for converted Business Holding Corporation Options
(Non-Vesting)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-2
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<P>
<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Filed as an exhibit to BancorpSouth, Inc.&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December&nbsp;31, 1994 (file number 0-10826) and incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.</TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Filed as Exhibit&nbsp;1 to BancorpSouth, Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April
24, 1991 (file number 0-10826) and incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.</TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Filed as Exhibit&nbsp;2 to BancorpSouth, Inc.&#146;s amended Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed
on March&nbsp;28, 2001 (file number 1-12991) and incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-3
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">





<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings.</B>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration
statement.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona
fide</I> offering thereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-4
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tupelo, State of Mississippi, on December&nbsp;15, 2004.


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">BANCORPSOUTH, INC.<BR>
<BR>
&nbsp;<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Aubrey B. Patterson
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Aubrey B. Patterson&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left"><I>Chairman of the Board and<BR>
Chief Executive Officer</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>




<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints each of Aubrey B. Patterson and L. Nash Allen, Jr., his true and lawful attorney-in-fact,
as agent and with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to
this registration statement and
any registration statement related to the same offering as this
registration statement, and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agents in full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as
they might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="21%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>SIGNATURE</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>TITLE</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>DATE</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ AUBREY B. PATTERSON
<HR size="1" noshade>
Aubrey B. Patterson</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and Director (principal executive
officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ L. NASH ALLEN, JR.
<HR size="1" noshade>
L. Nash Allen, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ HASSELL H. FRANKLIN
<HR size="1" noshade>
Hassell H. Franklin</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ W. G. HOLLIMAN, JR.
<HR size="1" noshade>
W. G. Holliman, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ JAMES V. KELLEY
<HR size="1" noshade>
James V. Kelley</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">President, Chief Operating Officer, Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ LARRY G. KIRK
<HR size="1" noshade>
Larry G. Kirk</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-5
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="21%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>SIGNATURE</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>TITLE</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>DATE</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ TURNER O. LASHLEE
<HR size="1" noshade>
Turner O. Lashlee</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ GUY W. MITCHELL, III
<HR size="1" noshade>
Guy W. Mitchell, III</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ R. MADISON MURPHY
<HR size="1" noshade>
R. Madison Murphy</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ ROBERT C. NOLAN
<HR size="1" noshade>
Robert C. Nolan</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ W. CAL PARTEE, JR.
<HR size="1" noshade>
W. Cal Partee, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ ALAN W. PERRY
<HR size="1" noshade>
Alan W. Perry</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ TRAVIS E. STAUB
<HR size="1" noshade>
Travis E. Staub</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">December 15, 2004</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-6
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Number</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Description</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Specimen Common Stock Certificate (1)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Rights Agreements, dated as of April&nbsp;24, 1991, including as Exhibit&nbsp;A the forms of Rights
Certificate and Election to Purchase and as Exhibit&nbsp;B the Summary of Rights to Purchase
Common Shares (2)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of March&nbsp;28, 2001 (3)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Riley, Caldwell, Cork &#038; Alvis, P.A.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of KPMG LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Riley, Caldwell, Cork &#038; Alvis, P.A. (included in opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Power of Attorney (included on page II-5 hereof)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Premier Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Premier Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Outside Director Stock Option Plan</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Form of Stock Option Agreement for converted Business Holding Corporation Options (Vesting)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.4</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Form of Stock Option Agreement for converted Business Holding Corporation Options
(Non-Vesting)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>



<P>
<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Filed as an exhibit to BancorpSouth, Inc.&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December&nbsp;31, 1994 (file number 0-10826) and incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.</TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Filed as Exhibit&nbsp;1 to BancorpSouth, Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April
24, 1991 (file number 0-10826) and incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.</TD>
</TR>

<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">Filed as Exhibit&nbsp;2 to BancorpSouth, Inc.&#146;s amended Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed
on March&nbsp;28, 2001 (file number 1-12991) and incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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BANCORPSOUTH, INC. - FORM S-8
Table of Contents
As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2004
Registration No. 333-
[   •   ]
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BANCORPSOUTH, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Mississippi
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
64-0659571
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
One Mississippi Plaza
201 South Spring Street
Tupelo, MS 38804
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Premier Bancorp, Inc.
1998 Stock Option Plan
Premier Bancorp, Inc.
1998 Outside Director Stock Option Plan
Business Holding Corporation
Individual Stock Options
(Full title of the plan)
Aubrey B. Patterson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
BancorpSouth, Inc.
One Mississippi Plaza
201 South Spring Street
Tupelo, MS 38804
(Name and address of agent for service)
(662) 680-2000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With copies to:
E. Marlee Mitchell, Esq.
Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, PLLC
511 Union Street, Suite 2700
Nashville, Tennessee 37219-1760
(615) 244-6380
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Amount of
Amount To Be
Offering Price
Aggregate Offering
Registration
Title Of Securities To Be Registered
Registered (1)
Per Share (2)
Price (2)
Fee
Common Stock of BancorpSouth, Inc.,
par value $2.50 per share (3)
385,848
$24.17
$
9,325,946.16
$
1,097.66
(1)
This Registration Statement relates to the registration of securities reserved for issuance
under options assumed by the Registrant in connection with negotiated acquisitions.
(2)
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, solely for purposes of calculating the amount of the registration fee, based upon the
average of the high and low prices per share of the Registrant's
common stock on December 27, 2004, as reported
on the New York Stock Exchange.
(3)
Includes attached rights to purchase shares of the Registrant's common stock under the
Registrant's shareholder rights plan. Prior to the occurrence of certain events, none of which have
occurred as of the date of the filing hereof, the rights will not be exercisable or evidenced
separately from the Registrant's common stock.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-5 OPINION OF RILEY, CALDWELL, CORK & ALVIS, P.A
EX-23.1 CONSENT OF KPMG LLP
EX-99.1 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
EX-99.2 1998 OUTSIDE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
EX-99.3 FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
EX-99.4 FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Table of Contents
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 17, 2004, between the
Registrant and Business Holding Corporation ("BHC"), and pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of September 17, 2004, between the Registrant and Premier Bancorp, Inc. ("PBI"),
each of BHC and PBI will be merged with and into the Registrant
effective as of December 31, 2004. All outstanding options to
purchase shares of common stock of BHC and PBI granted pursuant to the corresponding stock option
plans or agreements prior to the merger will be converted into options to purchase shares of
common stock of the Registrant, subject to appropriate adjustments to the number of shares subject
to each option and the exercise price thereof. Each such converted option will be otherwise
exercisable on substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to
the corresponding merger. This Registration Statement registers the
shares of the Registrant's common
stock issuable upon the exercise of such options.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 (plan information and
Registrant information) will be sent or given to those individuals who held options issued by BHC
or PBI on the date of the mergers with and into the Registrant and who by the terms of the merger
agreements will receive, in exchange for their options to acquire
shares of BHC or PBI common
stock, options to acquire shares of the Registrant's common stock, as specified by Rule 428(b)(1)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Such documents need not be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or
as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. These
documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to
Item 3 of Part II of this Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the
requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.   Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by
the Registrant are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
(a)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003;
(b)
The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2004;
(c)
The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2004;
(d)
The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30,
2004;
(e)
The description of the Registrant's common stock contained in the registration
statement on Form 8-A dated May 14, 1997;
(f)
The description of the Registrant's common stock purchase rights contained in
the registration statements on Form 8-A and Form 8-A/A dated May 14, 1997 and
March 28, 2001;
(g)
The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 19, 2004; and
(h)
The Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated September 20, 2004.
All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date hereof, and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that the securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters the securities offered hereby then remaining unsold, shall also be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof commencing on
the respective dates on which such documents are filed. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that
a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this Registration Statement.
Item 6.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
A.
Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws.
BancorpSouth's restated articles of incorporation provide that it will indemnify, and upon
request advance expenses to, any person (or his estate) who was or is a party to, or is threatened
to be made a party to, any legal proceeding because he is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of BancorpSouth, or is or was serving at the request of BancorpSouth as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership or other entity, against
any liability incurred in that proceeding (a) to the full extent permitted by Section 79-4-8.51 of
the Mississippi Business Corporation Act, and (b) despite the fact that such person did not meet
the standard of conduct set forth in Section 79-4-8.51(a) of the Mississippi Business Corporation
Act or would be disqualified for indemnification under Section 79-4-8.51(d) of the Mississippi
Business Corporation Act, if a determination is made by a person or persons enumerated in Section
79-4-8.55(b) of the Mississippi Business Corporation Act that (i) the person seeking indemnity is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all of the relevant circumstances, and
(ii) his acts or omissions did not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct. A request for
reimbursement or advancement of expenses prior to final disposition of the proceeding must be
accompanied by an undertaking to repay the advances if it is ultimately determined that he is not
entitled to indemnification and he did not meet the requisite standard of conduct, but it need not
be accompanied by an affirmation that the person seeking indemnity believed he has met the standard
of conduct. BancorpSouth may, to the full extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of any such person against any liability which may be asserted against him.
II-1
Table of Contents
BancorpSouth's amended and restated bylaws provide that it will indemnify any person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any legal proceeding (other than a derivative
action for which indemnification is described below) because he is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of BancorpSouth, or is or was serving at the request of BancorpSouth as a
director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership or other
entity, against any expenses or awards actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection therewith to the fullest extent provided in BancorpSouth's restated articles of
incorporation and by law. BancorpSouth also will indemnify any person who was or is or is
threatened to be made a party to any derivative suit with respect to BancorpSouth because that
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of BancorpSouth, or is or was serving at
the request of BancorpSouth as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership or other entity, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action unless he is found to have
breached his duty to BancorpSouth to discharge his duties in good faith and with the care which an
ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances, and in a
manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of BancorpSouth, unless, despite such
finding of liability, the court determines that he is entitled to indemnity. BancorpSouth's amended
and restated bylaws also provide that BancorpSouth may (i) advance to the person seeking indemnity
the expenses incurred in defending a proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking that he will repay
amounts advanced unless it ultimately is determined that he is entitled to be indemnified, and (ii)
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of BancorpSouth, or is or was serving at the request of BancorpSouth as a director,
officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership or other entity,
against any liability arising out of his acting as such, whether or not BancorpSouth would have the
power to indemnify him against such liability under BancorpSouth's amended and restated bylaws.
B.
Mississippi Business Corporation Act.
In addition to the foregoing provisions of BancorpSouth's restated articles of incorporation
and amended and restated bylaws, officers and directors of BancorpSouth and its subsidiaries may be
indemnified by BancorpSouth pursuant to Sections 79-4-8.50 through 79-4-8.59 of the Mississippi
Business Corporation Act.
C.
Insurance.
BancorpSouth maintains and pays premiums on an insurance policy on behalf of its officers and
directors against liability asserted against or incurred by such persons in or arising from their
capacity as such.
D.
SEC Policy on Indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers or persons controlling BancorpSouth pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
BancorpSouth has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 8.   Exhibits.
Number
Description
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (1)
4.2
Rights Agreements, dated as of April 24, 1991, including as Exhibit A the forms of Rights
Certificate and Election to Purchase and as Exhibit B the Summary of Rights to Purchase
Common Shares (2)
4.3
First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2001 (3)
5
Opinion of Riley, Caldwell, Cork & Alvis, P.A.
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2
Consent of Riley, Caldwell, Cork & Alvis, P.A. (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on page II-5 hereof)
99.1
Premier Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan
99.2
Premier Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Outside Director Stock Option Plan
99.3
Form of Stock Option Agreement for converted Business Holding Corporation Options (Vesting)
99.4
Form of Stock Option Agreement for converted Business Holding Corporation Options
(Non-Vesting)
II-2
Table of Contents
(1)
Filed as an exhibit to BancorpSouth, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1994 (file number 0-10826) and incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.
(2)
Filed as Exhibit 1 to BancorpSouth, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April
24, 1991 (file number 0-10826) and incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(3)
Filed as Exhibit 2 to BancorpSouth, Inc.'s amended Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed
on March 28, 2001 (file number 1-12991) and incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.
II-3
Table of Contents
Item 9.   Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration
statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona
fide
offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-4
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tupelo, State of Mississippi, on December 15, 2004.
BANCORPSOUTH, INC.
By:
/s/ Aubrey B. Patterson
Aubrey B. Patterson
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints each of Aubrey B. Patterson and L. Nash Allen, Jr., his true and lawful attorney-in-fact,
as agent and with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to
this registration statement and
any registration statement related to the same offering as this
registration statement, and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agents in full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as
they might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ AUBREY B. PATTERSON
Aubrey B. Patterson
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and Director (principal executive
officer)
December 15, 2004
/s/ L. NASH ALLEN, JR.
L. Nash Allen, Jr.
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
December 15, 2004
/s/ HASSELL H. FRANKLIN
Hassell H. Franklin
Director
December 15, 2004
/s/ W. G. HOLLIMAN, JR.
W. G. Holliman, Jr.
Director
December 15, 2004
/s/ JAMES V. KELLEY
James V. Kelley
President, Chief Operating Officer, Director
December 15, 2004
/s/ LARRY G. KIRK
Larry G. Kirk
Director
December 15, 2004
II-5
Table of Contents
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ TURNER O. LASHLEE
Turner O. Lashlee
Director
December 15, 2004
/s/ GUY W. MITCHELL, III
Guy W. Mitchell, III
Director
December 15, 2004
/s/ R. MADISON MURPHY
R. Madison Murphy
Director
December 15, 2004
/s/ ROBERT C. NOLAN
Robert C. Nolan
Director
December 15, 2004
/s/ W. CAL PARTEE, JR.
W. Cal Partee, Jr.
Director
December 15, 2004
/s/ ALAN W. PERRY
Alan W. Perry
Director
December 15, 2004
/s/ TRAVIS E. STAUB
Travis E. Staub
Director
December 15, 2004
II-6
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
Description
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (1)
4.2
Rights Agreements, dated as of April 24, 1991, including as Exhibit A the forms of Rights
Certificate and Election to Purchase and as Exhibit B the Summary of Rights to Purchase
Common Shares (2)
4.3
First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2001 (3)
5
Opinion of Riley, Caldwell, Cork & Alvis, P.A.
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2
Consent of Riley, Caldwell, Cork & Alvis, P.A. (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5)
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on page II-5 hereof)
99.1
Premier Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan
99.2
Premier Bancorp, Inc. 1998 Outside Director Stock Option Plan
99.3
Form of Stock Option Agreement for converted Business Holding Corporation Options (Vesting)
99.4
Form of Stock Option Agreement for converted Business Holding Corporation Options
(Non-Vesting)
(1)
Filed as an exhibit to BancorpSouth, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1994 (file number 0-10826) and incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.
(2)
Filed as Exhibit 1 to BancorpSouth, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April
24, 1991 (file number 0-10826) and incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(3)
Filed as Exhibit 2 to BancorpSouth, Inc.'s amended Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed
on March 28, 2001 (file number 1-12991) and incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.