By JACK WEATHERLY BancorpSouth Inc. has reached an agreement to extend to Dec. 31, 2017 an attempt buy two banks, which has been delayed by federal regulatory intervention. The Tupelo-based banking chain announced Friday the third extension of the merger effort that began in January 2014. “We continue to believe these proposed transactions are in the best interest of ...

The market manager  for the Madison branch of Ouachita Independent Bank, Steve DeRusso is a former section commander for the 33rd Maintenance Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base. With Quachita, the former Iowa resident’s role is to generate new business opportunities and represent the bank in the Mississippi market. A graduate of Iowa State University, DeRusso earned his master’s degree ...

TUPELO — BancorpSouth Inc. has signed a definitive merger agreement with Ouachita Bancshares Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Ouachita Independent Bank (OIB) headquartered in Monroe, La., whereby Ouachita Bancshares Corp. will be merged with and into BancorpSouth, Inc. OIB operates 12 full-service banking offices; six in the Monroe-West Monroe, La., area, four in the Shreveport-Bossier City, La., area and ...

Ouachita Independent Bank has added Steve DeRusso as senior vice president/market manager in its Madison Loan Production Office. DeRusso brings experience from two previous banking positions as well as non-banking administration experience. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. He received a MBA from William Carey University and a bachelor of science in management from Iowa ...