Simmons First Announces Second Quarter Earnings

PINE BLUFF, Ark., July 17, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Simmons First National Corporation (Nasdaq:SFNC) today announced second quarter 2008 earnings of $6.0 million, or $0.42 diluted earnings per share, compared to $0.49 per share for the same period in 2007. "The decrease in earnings is primarily attributable to an increase in the provision for loan losses and a decrease in the premiums from the sale of student loans," according to J. Thomas May, Chairman and CEO. "The increase in provision for loan losses reflects our anticipated return to more historical levels, and a special provision related to our Northwest Arkansas region. Except for the special provision, second quarter earnings were very close to our expectations, and considering the challenges in the national economy and the banking industry, we are pleased with our... [read full story]