The First Bank of Blackshear is now Renasant Bank of Blackshear.
Renasant Corporation of Tupelo, Mississippi, completed its merger with The First Bank’s parent company, The First Bancshares, Inc. of Hattiesburg, Mississippi April 1.
The merger agreement was first announced last July. John Oxford, chief marketing officer for Renasant said although the merger has been completed, full conversion and integration of The First’s operations into Renasant’s will continue until it is completed in early August 2025.
Local Renasant customers have received letters about the merger.
Until the conversion is completed, The First’s customers should continue to conduct their banking business as usual, including using existing branches, debit cards, checks, credit cards and ATMs, and making loan payments.
Prior to August 4, The First customers will receive a transition guide detailing information about accounts and any action that might be necessary by customers.
The company has posted frequently asked questions that customers of The First may reference to obtain useful information about the transition, which can be found at www.renasantbank.com/welcome.
Customers with questions may also contact customerservice@ renasant.com for assistance.
The First operates 111 branches across Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia including Blackshear.
The merger will create a six-state Southeastern banking franchise with over 300 locations.
The change in ownership is the second in two years at the Main Street bank.
In 2023, The First Bancshares Inc., acquired Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc., of Jonesboro. Heritage bought the bank in 2008. Prior to that, the local bank was originally founded as Peoples Bank in 1946.
