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<P id=PARA2 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA3 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>UNITED STATES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA4 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA5 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA7 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>FORM S-8</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA8 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA10 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>BEAR STATE FINANCIAL, INC.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA11 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA12 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA13 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>ARKANSAS</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA14 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>71-0785261</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA15 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(State or other jurisdiction of </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA16 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">incorporation or organization)</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA17 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA18 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>90</B><B>0 SOUTH SHACKLEFORD ROAD, </B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA19 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SUITE 401</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA20 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA21 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>72211</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA22 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA23 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Zip Code)</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA24 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>BEAR STATE FINANCIAL, INC. EMPLOYEES&#8217; SAVINGS &amp; PROFIT SHARING PLAN </B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA25 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Full title of the plan)</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA26 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Sherri Billings</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA27 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA28 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Bear State Financial, Inc.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA29 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>900 South Shackleford </B><B>Rd.</B><B>, Suite 401</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA30 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Little Rock, Arkansas 72211</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA31 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Name and address of agent for service)</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA32 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>501-975-6033</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA33 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA35 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA36 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">With a copy to:</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA37 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA38 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>David McDaniel</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA39 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Kutak Rock LLP</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA40 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>124 West Capitol</B><B> Ave.</B><B>, Suite 2000</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA41 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Little Rock, Arkansas 72201</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA42 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>501-975-3000</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA43 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>_____________</B>&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA44 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA45 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of &#8220;large accelerated filer,&#8221; &#8220;accelerated filer,&#8221; &#8220;smaller reporting company,&#8221; and &#8220;emerging growth company&#8221; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA46 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA1 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">Large accelerated filer &#9744;</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">Accelerated filer &#9745;</P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA3 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA4 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA5 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">Non-accelerated filer &#9744; (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)&nbsp;</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA6 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">Smaller reporting company &#9744;</P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA47 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT>&nbsp;</P>
<P id=PARA51 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Emerging growth company </FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA52 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA53 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. &#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA55 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA57 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA59 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Title Of Securities To Be </B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Registered</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA60 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Amount To Be </B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Registered (1)</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA61 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Proposed </B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Maximum </B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Offering Price Per</B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Share (2)</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 22.8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA62 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Proposed Maximum </B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Price (2)</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA63 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Amount Of </B></FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Registration Fee</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA64 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Common Stock, $0.01 par value </FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; WIDTH: 17.5%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA65 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">100,000 shares</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 19.3%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA66 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">$9.16</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA67 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">$916,000</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA68 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">$106.16</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA70 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA73 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(1)<U></U></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA74 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the &#8220;<U>Securities Act</U>&#8221;), the number of shares of Common Stock registered hereunder includes such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may be offered or issued in the future to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the Bear State Financial, Inc. Employees&#8217; Savings &amp; Profit Sharing Plan.</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"> </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA75 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA78 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(2)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA79 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Calculated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act, based upon the average of the high and low sales prices of the shares of the registrant&#8217;s Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market on April 13, 2017.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA80 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA83 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>PART I</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA84 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA85 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA86 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA87 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The document(s) containing the information required in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to employees participating in the Bear State Financial, Inc. Employees&#8217; Savings &amp; Profit Sharing Plan (the &#8220;<U>Plan</U>&#8221;), as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act.&nbsp; In accordance </FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">with Rule 428 and the requirements of Part I of Form S-8, such documents </FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;<U>Commission</U>&#8221;) either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act.&nbsp; These documents and the documents incorporated </FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">herein by reference pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, taken together, constitute the prospectus as required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA88 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA89 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>PART II</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA90 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA91 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA92 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 3. </B><B>Incorporation of Documents by Reference</B><B>. </B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA93 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA94 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The following documents previously filed by Bear State Financial, Inc. (the &#8220;<U>Company</U>&#8221;) with the Commission are incorporated by reference herein: </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA95 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA98 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(a)</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA99 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The Company&#8217;s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on March 10, 2017 (including portions of the Company&#8217;s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders incorporated therein by reference);</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA100 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA103 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(b)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA104 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The Plan&#8217;s annual report on Form 11-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Commission on June 27, 2016;</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA105 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA108 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(c)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA109 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The Company&#8217;s current reports on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2017, January 19, 2017 (not including the current report on Form 8-K as of this date furnishing information under Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1 thereto), January 24, 2017,&nbsp;February 21, 2017 and April 19, 2017; and</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA110 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
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<P id=PARA113 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(d)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA114 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The description of the Company&#8217;s Common Stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on August 22, 2011, and any amendment or report filed with the Commission for the purpose of updating such description.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA115 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA116 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">All documents subsequently filed by the Company or the Plan pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &#8220;<U>Exchange Act</U>&#8221;) after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this Registration Statement or in any other later filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to be a part of this Registration Statement.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA117 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA118 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Description of Securities.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA119 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA120 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Not applicable.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA121 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA122 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA123 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA124 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B></B>Not applicable.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA125 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></P>
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<DIV id=PGNUM338  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">1&nbsp;</DIV>
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<P id=PARA338.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA126 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers. </B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA127 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA128 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Section 4-27-850 of the Arkansas Business Corporation Act (&#8220;<U>ABCA</U>&#8221;) permits a corporation, under specified circumstances, to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses (including attorney&#8217;s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties by reason of the fact that the directors, officers, employee or agents acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, <I>i.e</I>., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA129 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA130 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Section 4-27-850 of the ABCA provides that, to the extent that a director, officer, employee, or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#8217; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA131 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA132 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Section 4-27-850 of the ABCA provides that expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA133 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA134 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Section 4-27-850 of the ABCA also affords a corporation the power to obtain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against liabilities incurred by them in these capacities.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA135 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA136 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pursuant to Section 4-27-202 of the ABCA, the Company&#8217;s articles of incorporation provide that the Company&#8217;s directors will not be personally liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors except (a) for any breach of the duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under section 4-27-833 of the ABCA, which makes directors liable for unlawful dividends or unlawful distributions, (d) for transactions from which directors derive improper personal benefit or (e) for any action, omission, transaction, or breach of a director&#8217;s duty creating any third-party liability to any person or entity other than the corporation or shareholder.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA137 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA138 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Article VII of the Company&#8217;s bylaws provides as follows: </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA139 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA140 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">SECTION 1. (a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys&#8217; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA141 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK339  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR339  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM339  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">2&nbsp;</DIV>
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<DIV id=PGHDR339  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA339.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA142 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys&#8217; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the district court or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the district court or such other court shall deem proper.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA143 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA144 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) or (b), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#8217; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA145 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA146 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any indemnification under subsections (a) or (b) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) or (b). Such determination shall be made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by a vote of the majority of the shares held by shareholders entitled to vote on such matter.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA147 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA148 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(e)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Expenses (including attorneys&#8217; fees) incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA149 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA150 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(f)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA151 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA152 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(g)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA153 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA154 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(h)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The powers and duties of the corporation to indemnify any person under this Article shall apply with equal force whether an action, suit or proceeding is threatened or commenced in the State of Arkansas or outside the State.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA155 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA156 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">In addition, the Company maintains a directors&#8217; and officers&#8217; liability insurance policy.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA157 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></P>
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<DIV id=PGNUM340  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3&nbsp;</DIV>
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<P id=PARA159 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA160 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA161 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Not applicable.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA162 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA163 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</B><B>Exhibits</B><B>.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA164 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA165 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">See attached Exhibit Index following the signature page, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Company has submitted the Plan, as amended and restated to date, to the Internal Revenue Service (&#8220;<U>IRS</U>&#8221;) and will make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify the Plan.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA166 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA167 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA168 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA169 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA170 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA171 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA172 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA173 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA174 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA175 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#8220;Calculation of Registration Fee&#8221; table in the effective registration statement; and</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA176 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA177 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 72pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(iii) 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;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA178 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA179 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA180 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA181 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA182 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA183 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(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.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA184 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA185 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#8217;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#8217;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA187 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA188 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities 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.</FONT></P>
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<DIV id=PGNUM341  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4&nbsp;</DIV>
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<P id=PARA189 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA191 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA190 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 24.5pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, 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 Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on April 19, 2017.</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA342.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>BEAR STATE FINANCIAL, INC.</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA342.13 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">By: </FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA342.14 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">/s/ </FONT>Matt Machen</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA342.17 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>Name:</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA342.18 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>Matt Machen</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA342.21 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>Title:</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA342.22 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>President and Chief Executive Officer</P></TD>
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<P id=PARA342.23 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA193 style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 57.3%"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT>&nbsp;</P>
<P id=PARA205 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B></B></FONT>&nbsp;</P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA206 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA207 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Matt Machen and Sherri Billings, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, 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 to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA208 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA209 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA210 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA211 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL259S1  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA212 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><B>Signature</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA213 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><B>Title</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA214 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase"><B>Date</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ Matt Machen</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA215 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA216 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Principal Executive Officer) </FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA217 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA218 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Matt Machen</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ Sherri Billings</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA219 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Senior Executive Vice President and Chief </FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA220 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA221 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Sherri Billings</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ Jeri Pritchett</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA222 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting </FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA223 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA224 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Jeri Pritchett</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ Richard N. Massey</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA225 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Director and Chairman</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA226 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA227 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Richard N. Massey</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ W. Dabbs Cavin</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA228 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Director and Vice Chairman</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA229 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA230 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">W. Dabbs Cavin</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA343 style="MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">&nbsp;<FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK344  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
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<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR344  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ Daniel C. Horton</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA232 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Director</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA233 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA234 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Daniel C. Horton</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ Frank L. Conner</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA238 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Director</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA239 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA240 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Frank L. Conner</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ G. Brock Gearhart</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA244 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Director</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA245 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA246 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">G. Brock Gearhart</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ O. Fitzgerald Hill</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA247 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Director</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA248 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA249 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">O. Fitzgerald Hill</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ Ian R. Vaughan</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA250 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Director</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA251 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA252 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Ian R. Vaughan</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ John J. Ghirardelli</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA253 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Director</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA254 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA255 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">John J. Ghirardelli</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">/s/ William J. Changose</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA256 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Director</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA257 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">April 19, 2017</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 33%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px">
<P id=PARA258 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">William J. Changose</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 2%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 18%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA260 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</P>
<DIV id=PGBK265  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR265  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM265  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR265  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA265.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA266 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the trustees (or other persons who administer the Plan) have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on April 19, 2017.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA267 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA268 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 180pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<TABLE  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%">
<P id=PARA345 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 55%">
<P id=PARA346 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><B>BEAR STATE FINANCIAL</B><B>, INC. EMPLOYEES&#8217; SAVINGS &amp; </B></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><B>PROFIT SHARING PLAN</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 55%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 45%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 55%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<P id=PARA347 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px">
<P id=PARA272 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">By: </FONT><U><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">/s/ </FONT>Matt Machen&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></P>
<P id=PARA273 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Matt Machen</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA274 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA275 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Bear State Financial, Inc.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<P id=PARA349 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px">
<P id=PARA278 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">By: </FONT><U><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">/s/ </FONT>Sherri Billings&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></P>
<P id=PARA279 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Sherri Billings</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA280 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA281 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Bear State Financial, Inc.</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA269 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 180pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B></B></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</P>
<DIV id=PGBK351  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR351  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM351  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR351  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA351.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA291 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA293 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA292 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL294  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">
<P id=PARA354 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 81pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA352><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><U>Number</U></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA353><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><U>Description</U></P></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA301 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=MTAB303S1  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 117pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">4.1</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Bear State Financial, Inc. Employees&#8217; Savings &amp; Profit Sharing Plan.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 117pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 117pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">23.1</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Consent of BKD, LLP.</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 117pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 117pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">23.2</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Consent of Frost, PLLC</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 117pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 36pt">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 117pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">24.1</TD>
<TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">Power of Attorney (included on signature page of the Registration Statement).</TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA7 style="MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</P></BODY></HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "bsf20170418_s8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 101250}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BEAR STATE FINANCIAL, INC.", "cik": "0001006424", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "710785261", "state-of-incorporation": "AR", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-217386", "film-number": "17770712"}, "business-address": {"street1": "900 SOUTH SHACKLEFORD ROAD", "street2": "SUITE 401", "city": "LITTLE ROCK", "state": "AR", "zip": "72211", "phone": "501-320-4904"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "900 SOUTH SHACKLEFORD ROAD", "street2": "SUITE 401", "city": "LITTLE ROCK", "state": "AR", "zip": "72211"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS INC", "date-changed": "19960126"}}
bsf20170418_s8.htm
Registration No. 333-_____
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BEAR STATE FINANCIAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
ARKANSAS
71-0785261
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
90
0 SOUTH SHACKLEFORD ROAD,
SUITE 401
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
72211
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
BEAR STATE FINANCIAL, INC. EMPLOYEES' SAVINGS & PROFIT SHARING PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Sherri Billings
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Bear State Financial, Inc.
900 South Shackleford
Rd.
, Suite 401
Little Rock, Arkansas 72211
(Name and address of agent for service)
501-975-6033
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
David McDaniel
Kutak Rock LLP
124 West Capitol
Ave.
, Suite 2000
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
501-975-3000
_____________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☑
Non-accelerated filer ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title Of Securities To Be
Registered
Amount To Be
Registered (1)
Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price Per
Share (2)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (2)
Amount Of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
100,000 shares
$9.16
$916,000
$106.16
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "
Securities Act
"), the number of shares of Common Stock registered hereunder includes such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may be offered or issued in the future to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the Bear State Financial, Inc. Employees' Savings & Profit Sharing Plan.
(2)
Calculated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act, based upon the average of the high and low sales prices of the shares of the registrant's Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market on April 13, 2017.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The document(s) containing the information required in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to employees participating in the Bear State Financial, Inc. Employees' Savings & Profit Sharing Plan (the "
Plan
"), as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act.  In accordance
with Rule 428 and the requirements of Part I of Form S-8, such documents
are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "
Commission
") either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act.  These documents and the documents incorporated
herein by reference pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, taken together, constitute the prospectus as required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference
.
The following documents previously filed by Bear State Financial, Inc. (the "
Company
") with the Commission are incorporated by reference herein:
(a)
The Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on March 10, 2017 (including portions of the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders incorporated therein by reference);
(b)
The Plan's annual report on Form 11-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Commission on June 27, 2016;
(c)
The Company's current reports on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2017, January 19, 2017 (not including the current report on Form 8-K as of this date furnishing information under Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1 thereto), January 24, 2017, February 21, 2017 and April 19, 2017; and
(d)
The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on August 22, 2011, and any amendment or report filed with the Commission for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents subsequently filed by the Company or the Plan pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "
Exchange Act
") after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this Registration Statement or in any other later filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to be a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4.   Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5.   Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
1
Item 6.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 4-27-850 of the Arkansas Business Corporation Act ("
ABCA
") permits a corporation, under specified circumstances, to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties by reason of the fact that the directors, officers, employee or agents acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action,
i.e
., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.
Section 4-27-850 of the ABCA provides that, to the extent that a director, officer, employee, or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him.
Section 4-27-850 of the ABCA provides that expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate.
Section 4-27-850 of the ABCA also affords a corporation the power to obtain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against liabilities incurred by them in these capacities.
Pursuant to Section 4-27-202 of the ABCA, the Company's articles of incorporation provide that the Company's directors will not be personally liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors except (a) for any breach of the duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under section 4-27-833 of the ABCA, which makes directors liable for unlawful dividends or unlawful distributions, (d) for transactions from which directors derive improper personal benefit or (e) for any action, omission, transaction, or breach of a director's duty creating any third-party liability to any person or entity other than the corporation or shareholder.
Article VII of the Company's bylaws provides as follows:
SECTION 1. (a)          The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
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(b)          The corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the district court or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the district court or such other court shall deem proper.
(c)          To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) or (b), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.
(d)          Any indemnification under subsections (a) or (b) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) or (b). Such determination shall be made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by a vote of the majority of the shares held by shareholders entitled to vote on such matter.
(e)          Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article.
(f)          The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(g)          The corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article.
(h)          The powers and duties of the corporation to indemnify any person under this Article shall apply with equal force whether an action, suit or proceeding is threatened or commenced in the State of Arkansas or outside the State.
In addition, the Company maintains a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy.
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Item 7.    Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
See attached Exhibit Index following the signature page, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Company has submitted the Plan, as amended and restated to date, to the Internal Revenue Service ("
IRS
") and will make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify the Plan.
Item 9.    Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) 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;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities 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.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, 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 Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on April 19, 2017.
BEAR STATE FINANCIAL, INC.
By:
/s/
Matt Machen
Name:
Matt Machen
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Matt Machen and Sherri Billings, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, 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 to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Matt Machen
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
April 19, 2017
Matt Machen
/s/ Sherri Billings
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
April 19, 2017
Sherri Billings
/s/ Jeri Pritchett
Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting
Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
April 19, 2017
Jeri Pritchett
/s/ Richard N. Massey
Director and Chairman
April 19, 2017
Richard N. Massey
/s/ W. Dabbs Cavin
Director and Vice Chairman
April 19, 2017
W. Dabbs Cavin
/s/ Daniel C. Horton
Director
April 19, 2017
Daniel C. Horton
/s/ Frank L. Conner
Director
April 19, 2017
Frank L. Conner
/s/ G. Brock Gearhart
Director
April 19, 2017
G. Brock Gearhart
/s/ O. Fitzgerald Hill
Director
April 19, 2017
O. Fitzgerald Hill
/s/ Ian R. Vaughan
Director
April 19, 2017
Ian R. Vaughan
/s/ John J. Ghirardelli
Director
April 19, 2017
John J. Ghirardelli
/s/ William J. Changose
Director
April 19, 2017
William J. Changose
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the trustees (or other persons who administer the Plan) have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Little Rock, State of Arkansas, on April 19, 2017.
BEAR STATE FINANCIAL
, INC. EMPLOYEES' SAVINGS &
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
By:
/s/
Matt Machen
Matt Machen
President and Chief Executive Officer
Bear State Financial, Inc.
By:
/s/
Sherri Billings
Sherri Billings
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Bear State Financial, Inc.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
Description
4.1
Bear State Financial, Inc. Employees' Savings & Profit Sharing Plan.
23.1
Consent of BKD, LLP.
23.2
Consent of Frost, PLLC
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on signature page of the Registration Statement).