As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 17, 2018

Registration No. 333-                    

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Renasant Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

209 Troy Street

Tupelo, Mississippi 38804-4827

(662) 680-1001

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

C. Mitchell Waycaster

Renasant Corporation

209 Troy Street

Tupelo, Mississippi 38804-4827

(662) 680-1001

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

With copies to:

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☑

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐                             

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐                             

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☑

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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.

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

PROSPECTUS

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

Rights

Warrants

Units

Renasant Corporation may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, together or separately, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, rights, warrants and units and hybrid securities combining elements of the foregoing.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. We will offer the securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering. We will provide by supplements to this prospectus the specific terms and manner of offering of the securities that we actually offer. These prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes the terms and manner of offering of those securities.

We may offer and sell these securities directly or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, on a continuous or delayed basis, or through a combination of these methods. If an offering of securities involves any underwriters, dealers or agents, then the prospectus supplement will name the underwriters, dealers or agents and will provide information regarding any fee, commission or discount arrangements made with those underwriters, dealers or agents.

Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “RNST.” On September 14, 2018, the last sales price on Nasdaq for our common stock was $44.28. You are urged to obtain current market prices for our common stock. None of the other securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus are listed on an exchange. If we decide to list or seek a quotation for any other securities, the prospectus supplement relating to those securities will disclose the exchange or market on which such securities will be listed or quoted.

Investing in our securities involves risk. You should refer to the “Risk Factors” section included in the applicable prospectus supplement and in our periodic reports and other information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and carefully consider that information before investing in any of these securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

These securities will be our equity and debt securities, will not be deposits, savings accounts or other obligations of any bank, and will not be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality.

Our principal executive office is located at 209 Troy Street, Tupelo, Mississippi 38804-4827, and the telephone number at that location is (662) 680-1001.

This prospectus is dated September 17, 2018.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using the “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, from time to time, we may sell, either separately or together, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, rights, warrants, units, and hybrid securities combining elements of the foregoing, in one or more offerings. Unless we indicate otherwise, references to “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company” and “Renasant” are to Renasant Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and references to “the Bank” or “our Bank” are to Renasant Bank.

This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the securities and the offering. A prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities or to us. The supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement, including the exhibits and the documents incorporated herein by reference, can be read at our website (www.renasant.com), the SEC website (www.sec.gov) or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the relevant prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person, including any underwriter or agent, to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We may only use this prospectus to sell securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement, and we will not make an offer to sell our securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, as well as information we previously filed with the SEC and have incorporated by

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reference, is accurate as of the date of the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

We may sell securities to underwriters who will sell the securities to the public on terms fixed at the time of sale. In addition, the securities may be sold by us from time to time directly to the public or through dealers or designated agents. If we, directly or through agents, solicit offers to purchase the securities, we reserve the sole right to accept and, together with any agents, to reject, in whole or in part, any of those offers. Any prospectus supplement will contain the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, together with the terms of offering, the compensation of those underwriters and the net proceeds to us. Any underwriters, dealers, or agents participating in the offering may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in Renasant securities involves risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully read and consider the risk factors incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as well as those contained in any applicable prospectus supplement. These risk factors may also be updated from time to time by our future filings with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. You should also refer to other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including our financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference herein. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us at this time or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, operations and prospects. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by us with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement to a contract or other document, the reference is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the applicable document filed with the SEC; you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy this registration statement and any reports, statements or other information that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Reports, proxy statements and other information that we file with the SEC are also found on our website, www.renasant.com, under the link “Investor Relations.” The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website or any website of our Bank is not a part of this document.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. In all cases, you should rely on the later information incorporated by reference over different information included in this prospectus.

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We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than any information contained in such filings that is deemed “furnished” in accordance with SEC rules, including, but not limited to, our compensation committee report and stock performance graph and information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K including related exhibits), until we or any underwriters sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus:

To the extent that any information contained in any report on Form 8-K or any exhibit thereto, was furnished to, rather than filed with the SEC, such information or exhibit is specifically not incorporated by reference.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost (other than for a copy of an exhibit to a filing, unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in the filing), by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Renasant Corporation

209 Troy Street

Tupelo, Mississippi 38804-4827

Telephone: (662) 680-1001

Attention: Mr. Kevin D. Chapman

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements contain or incorporate by reference various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Renasant that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Congress passed the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in an effort to encourage companies to provide information about their anticipated future financial performance. This act provides a safe harbor for such disclosure, which protects a company from unwarranted litigation if actual results are different from management expectations. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, projected plans and objectives. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of our management. Our actual results may differ from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements, and such differences may be material. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include

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the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “may increase,” “may fluctuate,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would” and “could,” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Investors should understand that, in addition to factors previously disclosed in Renasant’s reports filed with the SEC and those identified elsewhere in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement that are not historical facts.

The following risks, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:

Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in our reports (such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Renasant or other matters and attributable to Renasant or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

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For any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, or in any documents incorporated by reference therein, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

RENASANT CORPORATION

We are a bank holding company headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi. Through our wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Renasant Bank, and its subsidiary, Renasant Insurance, Inc., we operate more than 190 banking, mortgage, financial services and insurance offices in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Our Community Banks, Mortgage and Wealth Management segments operate out of all of these offices. Our Bank was originally founded in 1904 as The Peoples Bank & Trust Company. In 1982, we reorganized as a bank holding company. In 2005, we changed our name from The Peoples Holding Company to Renasant Corporation.

Through our Bank, we offer a complete range of banking and financial services to individuals and to small to medium-size businesses. These services include checking and savings accounts, business and personal loans, interim construction loans, specialty commercial lending, as well as safe deposit and night depository facilities. Automated teller machines are located throughout our market area. Our Online and Mobile Banking products and our call center also provide 24-hour banking services. Accounts receivable financing is also available to qualified businesses. Through our Mortgage division, we offer both fixed and variable rate residential mortgage loans with competitive terms and fees. In many cases, we originate mortgage loans with the intention of selling them in the secondary market to third party private investors or directly to government sponsored agencies. Depending on a number of factors, we may release or retain the right to service these loans upon the sale.

Through our Wealth Management business, we offer a wide variety of fiduciary services and administer (as trustee or in other fiduciary or representative capacities) qualified retirement plans, profit sharing and other employee benefit plans, personal trusts and estates. In addition, the Wealth Management segment offers annuities, mutual funds and other investment services through a third party broker-dealer. Through Renasant Insurance, we also offer all lines of commercial and personal insurance through major carriers.

Our primary asset is our investment in our Bank. At June 30, 2018, our consolidated total assets were approximately $10.5 billion, our total loans (net of unearned income) were approximately $7.8 billion, our total deposits were approximately $8.4 billion, and our total shareholders’ equity was approximately $1.6 billion.

Effective September 1, 2018, we completed our previously-announced merger with Brand Group Holdings, Inc. (“Brand”) in a transaction valued at approximately $474 million. The merger consideration paid to the Brand shareholders consisted of 9,306,477 shares of common stock and cash in the amount of $21.9 million. We paid $17.2 million to Brand stock option holders for 100% of the voting equity interest in Brand. Before the consideration of purchase accounting adjustments, our acquisition of Brand added approximately $2.2 billion in total assets, $1.7 billion in loans, and $1.8 billion in deposits.

Our principle executive offices are located at 209 Troy Street, Tupelo, Mississippi 38804-4827. Our telephone number at that address is (662) 680-1001. Our internet address is www.renasant.com.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we indicate otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities described in this prospectus for general corporate purposes. These purposes may include (1) providing capital to support our growth organically or through the acquisition of financial institutions or branches thereof in negotiated transactions, the acquisition of failed institutions from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the acquisition of businesses related to banking, (2) repaying or refinancing existing indebtedness, (3) financing investments in our subsidiaries or capital expenditures and (4) investing the funds in

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our Bank as regulatory capital. The applicable prospectus supplement will provide more details on the use of proceeds of any specific offering at the time of sale. Pending such use, we may place the net proceeds in temporary investments or in deposit accounts at the Bank or we may use the net proceeds to reduce our indebtedness.

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2017 and for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018. No shares of our preferred stock were outstanding, and we did not pay dividends on preferred stock, during these periods. No shares of our preferred stock are currently outstanding. As a result, the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are the same as the ratios of earnings to fixed charges for these periods.

The ratios of earnings to fixed charges are computed in accordance with Item 503 of Regulation S-K by dividing (1) income (loss) before income taxes and fixed charges by (2) total fixed charges. For purposes of computing these ratios:

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, rights, warrants and units that we may offer from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material will describe particular terms of any security we offer, and it may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the securities as summarized in this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.

In addition, for certain types of securities we offer, as discussed below, we may also adopt an amendment to our articles of incorporation or enter into an agreement that will govern the terms of such securities. We will file any such amendment or agreement with the SEC in connection with the offering of the applicable securities. For more information on how you can obtain copies of documents we file with the SEC, see “Where You Can Find More Information” above.

In the descriptions of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, rights, warrants and units, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer only to Renasant Corporation and not to its subsidiaries.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

This section describes the material terms and provisions of our $5.00 par value common stock, or “common stock,” that we may offer from time to time. The following description of our common stock is only a summary and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation, as amended from time-to-time (our “articles of incorporation”), our amended and restated bylaws, as amended from time-to-time (our “bylaws”), and the Mississippi Business Corporation Act (the “MBCA”) and other applicable provisions of Mississippi law. You should refer to, and read this summary together with, our articles of incorporation and bylaws to review all of the terms of our common stock. When we offer to sell shares of our common stock, we will describe the specific terms of the offering and the shares in a prospectus supplement.

General

Our articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 150,000,000 shares of common stock. A total of 49,439,337 shares were issued and outstanding as of August 31, 2018. Our common stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol “RNST.” As of August 31, 2018, approximately 2,100,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under various employee and director benefit plans that we maintain. Computershare, Inc. serves as the registrar and transfer agent of our common stock.

You should note that the rights and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to any preferences that our board of directors may set for any series of preferred stock that we may issue in the future. These preferences may relate to voting, dividend and liquidation rights, among other things.

Voting Rights

Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors. In general, a majority of votes cast on a matter, whether in person or by proxy, at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present is sufficient to take action on such matter, except that supermajority votes are required to approve specified business combinations and other actions, as discussed below.

Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, and shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights. Our board has adopted a “majority voting” policy. Under this policy, which applies only in an uncontested election of directors, any nominee for director who receives a greater number of “withhold” votes for his or her election than votes “for” such election, although still elected to the board, must promptly tender to the board his or her resignation as a director, which will become effective upon acceptance by the board. If any resignation is tendered under these circumstances, the nominating and corporate governance committee of our board must consider the resignation and make a recommendation to the board as to whether to accept or reject the director’s resignation. No later than 90 days after the shareholders meeting that resulted in a director being required to submit his or her resignation, the board must consider the recommendation of the nominating committee and act on such resignation.

Supermajority Voting Provisions

Our articles of incorporation contain a “fair price” provision. This provision requires the approval by the holders of not less than 80% of our outstanding voting stock, and the approval of the holders of not less than 67% of our outstanding voting stock held by shareholders other than a “controlling party” (defined to mean a shareholder owning or controlling 20% or more of our outstanding voting stock at the time of the proposed transaction), of any merger, consolidation or sale or lease of all or substantially all of our assets involving the controlling party. For purposes of the fair price provisions, “substantially all” of our assets means assets having a fair market value or book value, whichever is greater, that is at least 25% of the value of our total assets, as set forth on a balance sheet that is as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the proposed transaction. The elevated

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approval requirements do not apply if (1) the proposed transaction is approved by a majority of our board of directors or (2) the consideration our shareholders will receive in the proposed transaction meets certain minimum price requirements set forth in our articles of incorporation.

Under our articles of incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the total outstanding shares of our common stock is required to alter, amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with these fair price provisions.

Dividend Rights

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends or distributions, whether payable in cash or otherwise, if, as and when declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for these payments. Under the MBCA, we may not pay a dividend if, after paying such dividend, (1) we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due or (2) our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders, if any, whose rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

As a bank holding company, our ability to pay dividends is substantially dependent on the ability of our Bank to transfer funds to us in the form of dividends, loans and advances. Accordingly, our declaration and payment of dividends depends upon our Bank’s earnings and financial condition, as well as upon general economic conditions and other factors. In addition, under Mississippi law, a Mississippi bank may not pay dividends unless its earned surplus is in excess of three times capital stock. A Mississippi bank with earned surplus in excess of three times capital stock may pay a dividend, subject to the approval of the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. In addition, the FDIC also has the authority to prohibit Renasant Bank from engaging in business practices that the FDIC considers to be unsafe or unsound, which, depending on the financial condition of the bank, could include the payment of dividends. Accordingly, the approval of the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance is required prior to Renasant Bank paying dividends to Renasant, and under certain circumstances the approval of the FDIC may be required. Finally, Federal Reserve regulations limit the amount our Bank may transfer to us in the form of a loan unless such loan is collateralized by specific obligations. We maintain a line of credit collateralized by cash with Renasant Bank totaling $3,052,000. No amounts are outstanding under this line of credit as of the date of this prospectus.

Classified Board of Directors; Filling Board Vacancies

Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. Each class of directors consists, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors. Under our articles of incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the total outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote in the election of directors is required to alter, amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with the provisions of the articles of incorporation governing our classified board of directors.

The board may fill a vacancy on the board of directors, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of directors. Any director elected to the board of directors to fill a vacancy on the board will hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders. Under the MBCA, shareholders may remove a director with or without cause, but only at a meeting of shareholders called specifically for the purpose of removing such director (our shareholders’ rights to call a meeting are discussed below).

Liquidation and Other Rights

Our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities.

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Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference, conversion or exchange rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. All outstanding common stock is, when issued against payment therefor, fully paid and non-assessable. Such shares are not redeemable at the option of Renasant or holders thereof. Finally, subject to the MBCA and Nasdaq rules, our board of directors may issue additional shares of our common stock or rights to purchase shares of our common stock without the approval of our shareholders.

Restrictions on Ownership

The ability of a third party to acquire us is limited under applicable United States banking laws and regulations. The Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or the “BHC Act,” generally prohibits any company that is not engaged in banking activities and activities that are permissible for a bank holding company or a financial holding company from acquiring “control” of Renasant. Control is generally defined as ownership of 25% or more of the voting stock of a company, the ability to control the election of a majority of the company’s board of directors or the other exercise of a “controlling influence” over a company. For any existing bank holding company, under the BHC Act such bank holding company must obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board before acquiring 5% or more of our voting stock. In addition, the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring “control” of a bank holding company unless the Federal Reserve Board has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under a rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve Board, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such as Renasant, where no other person holds a greater percentage of that class of voting stock, constitutes acquisition of control of the bank holding company.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of Our Articles of Incorporation

Our articles of incorporation contain certain provisions that may make it more difficult to acquire control of us by means of a tender offer, open market purchase, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions, which are summarized below, are designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate with our directors. We believe that, as a general rule, the interests of our shareholders are best served if any change in control results from negotiations with our directors.

Classified Board of Directors. As described above, our board of directors is divided into three classes, with directors serving staggered three-year terms. The classification of our board of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for shareholders to change the composition of our board of directors. At least two annual meetings of shareholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors. We believe that this delay may help ensure that our directors, confronted by a holder attempting to force a proxy contest, a tender or exchange offer, or an extraordinary corporate transaction, will have sufficient time to review the proposal as well as any available alternatives to the proposal and act in what they believe to be the best interests of our shareholders. The classification provisions, however, apply to every election of directors regardless of whether a change in the composition of our board of directors would be beneficial to us and our shareholders and whether or not a majority of our shareholders believe that such a change would be desirable.

The classification of our board of directors could also have the effect of discouraging a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, even though such an attempt might be beneficial to us and our shareholders. The classification of our board of directors could thus increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. In addition, because the classification of our board of directors may discourage accumulations of large blocks of our stock by purchasers whose objective is to take control of us and remove a majority of our board of directors, the classification of our board of directors could tend to reduce the likelihood of fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that might result from accumulations of large blocks of our common stock for such a purpose. Accordingly, our shareholders could be deprived of certain opportunities to sell their shares at a higher market price than might otherwise be the case.

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Fair Price Provision. The “fair price” provision of our articles of incorporation is described above. Subject to certain exceptions, this provision requires the approval by the holders of not less than 80% of our outstanding voting stock, and the approval by the holders of not less than 67% of our outstanding voting stock excluding shareholders constituting a “controlling party,” of any merger, consolidation or sale or lease of all or substantially all of our assets involving the controlling party. This fair price provision makes it more difficult for a third party to obtain approval of a business combination transaction.

Authority to Issue “Blank Check” Preferred Stock. Our board of directors is authorized to issue, without any further approval from our shareholders, a series of preferred stock with the designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, as the board determines in its discretion. See “Description of Preferred Stock” below for more information about the terms of any series of preferred stock that the board may decide to issue.

This authorization may operate to provide anti-takeover protection for us. In the event of a proposed merger, tender offer or other attempt to gain control of us that the board of directors does not believe is in our or our shareholders’ best interests, the board has the ability to quickly issue shares of preferred stock with certain rights, preferences and limitations that could make the proposed takeover attempt more difficult to complete. Such preferred stock may also be used in connection with the issuance of a shareholder rights plan, sometimes called a “poison pill.”

The authorization to issue preferred stock may also benefit present management. A potential acquiror may be discouraged from attempting a takeover because the board possesses the authority to issue preferred stock. Thus, management may be able to retain its position more easily. The board, however, does not intend to issue any preferred stock except on terms that the board of directors deems to be in the best interest of Renasant and its shareholders.

Shareholder’s Right to Call a Special Meeting. Our bylaws provide that a shareholder may not call a special meeting of shareholders unless such shareholder owns at least 50% of Renasant’s issued and outstanding stock. This requirement makes it more difficult for a third-party acquiror to call a shareholders’ meeting to vote on corporate matters.

Advance Notice Requirements. Our bylaws require a shareholder who desires to nominate a candidate for election to the board of directors or to raise new business at an annual shareholders’ meeting to provide us advance notice not earlier than 120 days and not later than 90 days before the scheduled date of the meeting. If the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 90 days from the anniversary date of the previous year’s meeting, to be timely a shareholder must deliver advance notice not earlier than the 120th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.

Under our bylaws, a shareholder must also provide detailed information about the nominee or business and satisfy certain other conditions.

Amendment of Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Under Mississippi law, our articles of incorporation generally may be amended if the votes cast by shareholders in favor of the amendment exceed the votes cast opposing the amendment, unless a greater number is specified in the articles of incorporation. The affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the total outstanding shares of our common stock is required to amend the provisions governing our classified board of directors and the fair price provisions of our articles of incorporation.

Our bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of our board of directors or our shareholders.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

This section outlines the general provisions of the shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, or “preferred stock,” that we may offer from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any series of preferred stock that we issue. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to the particular series of preferred stock to which the prospectus supplement relates.

The following description of the preferred stock, and any description of preferred stock in a prospectus supplement, is only a summary and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the articles of amendment to our articles of incorporation that our board will adopt relating to the particular series of preferred stock, as well as to applicable provisions of our bylaws, the MBCA and other applicable provisions of Mississippi law. We will file a copy of the articles of amendment with the SEC in connection with the sale of any series of preferred stock. You should refer to, and read this summary together with, such articles of amendment, as well as our articles of incorporation and bylaws, to understand all of the terms of any shares of preferred stock that we may offer.

Finally, the information in “Description of Common Stock” above discussing our classified board of directors and the anti-takeover provisions of our articles of incorporation are equally applicable to the discussion of the terms of our preferred stock.

General

Under our articles of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized, without shareholder approval, to adopt resolutions providing for the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, subject to the provisions of our articles, applicable law and Nasdaq rules. Our board of directors may fix the designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of, each series of preferred stock. As of the date of this prospectus, no series of preferred stock has been designated, and no shares of our preferred stock are issued or outstanding.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock will contain a description of the specific terms of that series, including, as applicable:

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Upon the issuance and payment for shares of preferred stock, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable. Except as otherwise may be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive or subscription rights to acquire any class or series of our capital stock.

The rights of holders of our preferred stock may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of any new shares of preferred stock that may be issued by us in the future. Our board of directors may cause shares of preferred stock to be issued in public or private transactions for any proper corporate purposes. Proper corporate purposes include, among other things, issuances to obtain additional financing in connection with acquisitions, in connection with a shareholders’ right plan or otherwise.

Rank

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, each series of preferred stock will rank on an equal basis with each other series of our preferred stock and prior to our common stock as to dividends and any distribution of our assets.

Dividends

Holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive cash dividends only if, as and when declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. The prospectus supplement will describe the dividend rates and the dates on which we will pay dividends as to each series of preferred stock. Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be fixed or variable, or both, and may be cumulative or non-cumulative, in each case as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our board of directors may not declare, pay or set apart funds for payment of dividends on a particular series of preferred stock unless full dividends on any other series of preferred stock that ranks equally with or senior to such series of preferred stock have been paid or sufficient funds have been set aside for payment. If dividends are not paid in full to each series of preferred stock, we will declare any dividends pro rata among the preferred stock of each series and any series of preferred stock that ranks equally with or senior to such series of preferred stock. A “pro rata” declaration means that the dividends we declare per share on each series of preferred stock will bear the same relationship to each other that the full accrued dividends per share on each series of the preferred stock bear to each other.

Unless all dividends on the preferred stock of each series issued have been paid in full, we will not declare or pay any dividends, or set aside sums for payment of dividends or distributions, on any common stock or on any class of security ranking junior to a series of preferred stock, except for dividends or distributions paid in the form of securities ranking junior to the preferred stock. We will also not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any securities ranking junior to a series of preferred stock as to dividends or liquidation preferences, except by conversion into or exchange for stock ranking junior to the series of preferred stock.

Conversion or Exchange

The applicable prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock will state the terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock or another series of our preferred stock. The terms of any such conversion or exchange (and any such preferred stock issuable in connection therewith) will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of preferred stock.

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Redemption

If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a series of preferred stock may be redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at our option or at the option of the holder thereof, and may be mandatorily redeemable or convertible. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the restrictions, if any, on the repurchase or redemption by us of any series of our preferred stock, including, without limitation, any restrictions on the repurchase or redemption by us on any series of our preferred stock if we are in arrears on the payments of any dividends or sinking fund installments. Any partial redemptions of preferred stock will be made in a way that our board of directors decides is equitable.

On the redemption date of shares of preferred stock called for redemption or upon our earlier call and deposit of the redemption price, all rights of holders of the preferred stock called for redemption will terminate, except for the right to receive the redemption price.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of each series of preferred stock will have the right to receive distributions upon liquidation in the amount described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each series of preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid dividends. These distributions will be made before any distribution is made on our common stock or on any securities ranking junior to such preferred stock.

If the liquidation amounts payable to holders of preferred stock of all series ranking on a parity regarding liquidation are not paid in full, the holders of the preferred stock of these series will have the right to a pro rata portion of our available assets up to the full liquidation preference. Holders of these series of preferred stock or such other securities will not be entitled to any other amounts from us after they have received their full liquidation preference.

Voting Rights

The holders of shares of preferred stock will have no voting rights, except:

Under regulations adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, if the holders of the preferred stock of any series become entitled to vote for the election of directors, whether because dividends on the preferred stock of such series are in arrears or otherwise, preferred stock of such series could be deemed a “class of voting securities.” In this instance, a holder of 25% or more of the preferred stock of such series likely would then be subject to regulation as a bank holding company in accordance with the BHC Act. In addition, a holder of such series that exercises a “controlling influence” over us, as determined by the Federal Reserve Board based on the holder’s total equity investment and other relevant facts and circumstances, could also be subject to regulation under the BHC Act. To the extent a series of preferred stock is deemed a class of voting securities, acquisitions of shares of such series of preferred stock may be subject to the requirements described above under the heading “Description of Common Stock—Restrictions on Ownership.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The applicable prospectus supplement will name the transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and depositary, if any, for shares of each series of preferred stock.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The terms of any depositary shares and any depositary receipts that we offer for sale and any deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock will be described in more detail in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the provisions summarized below do not apply to the depositary shares or depositary receipts being offered. The summary of terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the form of the deposit agreement and the articles of amendment to our articles of incorporation for the applicable series of preferred stock that are, or will be, filed with the SEC.

General

We may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. In such event, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.

The shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited with a bank or trust company selected by us to act as depositary, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “depositary,” under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders of the depositary receipts. We will identify the depositary in the applicable prospectus supplement. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share. If necessary, the prospectus summary will also provide a description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the purchase and ownership of the series of depositary shares offered by that prospectus supplement.

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement. While the final depositary receipts are being prepared, we may order the depositary to issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the final depositary receipts although not in final form. The holders of the temporary depositary receipts will be entitled to the same rights as if they held the depositary receipts in final form. Holders of the temporary depositary receipts can exchange them for the final depositary receipts at our expense.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The preferred stock depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to such preferred stock in proportion to the number of such depositary shares owned by such holders.

The preferred stock depositary will distribute any property received by it other than cash to the record holders of depositary shares entitled thereto. If the preferred stock depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, it may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

Redemption of Preferred Stock

If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is to be redeemed, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the preferred stock depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of such series of preferred stock. The depositary shares will be redeemed by the preferred stock depositary at a price per depositary share equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable in respect of the shares of preferred stock so redeemed.

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Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the preferred stock depositary, the preferred stock depositary will redeem as of the same date the number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock so redeemed. If fewer than all of the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by the preferred stock depositary by lot or ratably or by any other equitable method as the preferred stock depositary may decide.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption, any holder of depositary shares may receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by such depositary receipts after surrendering the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the preferred stock depositary. Holders of depositary shares making such withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole shares of preferred stock on the basis set forth in the related prospectus supplement for such series of preferred stock.

However, holders of such whole shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit such preferred stock under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts for such preferred stock after such withdrawal. If the depositary shares surrendered by the holder in connection with such withdrawal exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the preferred stock depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.

Voting Deposited Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of deposited preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred stock depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such series of preferred stock. Each record holder of such depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the preferred stock depositary to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The preferred stock depositary will seek to vote the amount of such series of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions.

We will agree to take all reasonable actions that the preferred stock depositary determines are necessary to enable the preferred stock depositary to vote as instructed. The preferred stock depositary will vote all shares of any series of preferred stock held by it proportionately with instructions received if it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such series of preferred stock.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the preferred stock depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares, other than fee changes, will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the outstanding depositary shares. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective, or any transferee of such holder, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such depositary receipt, or by reason of the acquisition thereof, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement that has been amended thereby.

The deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

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We may terminate the deposit agreement at any time, and the preferred stock depositary will give notice of such termination to the record holders of all outstanding depositary receipts not less than 30 days prior to the termination date. In such event, the preferred stock depositary will deliver or make available for delivery to holders of depositary shares, upon surrender of such depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the related series of preferred stock as are represented by such depositary shares.

Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary; Taxes and Other Governmental Charges

No fees, charges or expenses of the preferred stock depositary or any agent of the preferred stock depositary or of any registrar shall be payable by any person other than Renasant, except for any taxes and other governmental charges and except as provided in the deposit agreement. If the preferred stock depositary incurs fees, charges or expenses for which it is not otherwise liable hereunder at the election of a holder of a depositary receipt or other person, such holder or other person will be liable for such fees, charges and expenses.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The preferred stock depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its intent to do so, and we may at any time remove the preferred stock depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor preferred stock depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having the requisite combined capital and surplus as set forth in the applicable agreement.

Miscellaneous

The preferred stock depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the preferred stock depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the deposited preferred stock.

Neither the preferred stock depositary nor Renasant will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of Renasant and the preferred stock depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance with honest intentions of their duties thereunder, and they will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares, depositary receipts or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Renasant and the preferred stock depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants or upon information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer from time to time debt securities in the form of senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities or junior subordinated debt securities. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will be our unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The subordinated debt securities will be our unsecured obligations and will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, which term includes senior debt securities, as described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities”. In certain events of insolvency, the subordinated debt securities will also be subordinated to certain other financial obligations, as described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities”.

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The subordinated debt securities and junior subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture (the “subordinated debt indenture”) between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association, dated August 22, 2016, a copy of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The senior debt securities will be issued under a senior debt indenture (the “senior debt indenture”) between us and a trustee to be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a form of which will be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The senior debt indenture and the subordinated debt indenture are referred to in this prospectus collectively as the “indentures” and individually as an “indenture. The specific terms applicable to a particular issuance of debt securities and any variations from the terms below will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

As of August 31, 2018, we have issued $100 million in subordinated notes under the subordinated debt indenture, $60 million of which are due in 2026 and $40 million of which are due in 2031. We have also assumed subordinated notes in connection with our acquisitions of other bank holding companies, including Brand, and we have issued, or assumed as part of our acquisitions of other bank holding companies, debentures in connection with the sale of trust preferred securities. The prospectus supplement that we provide in connection with the offer and sale of any debt securities will include updated information regarding our outstanding indebtedness.

When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, the prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series, and it will also address whether the general terms and provisions described below apply to the particular series of debt securities.

The indentures are substantially identical in all material respects except as described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities” in this section. The following is a summary of the material terms of the indentures and debt securities but the summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the indentures and the debt securities. You should refer to the indentures for complete information regarding the terms and provisions of the indentures and debt securities.

General

Unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture, our board of directors will set the particular terms of each series of debt securities, which will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series. We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indentures, in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium or at a discount. Among other things, the prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities being offered will address the following terms of the debt securities:

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In addition, we may issue convertible debt securities. Any conversion provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set forth in the officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. To the extent applicable, conversion may be mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common or preferred stock to be received upon conversion would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

As a bank holding company, our ability to make payments on the debt securities will depend primarily on the receipt of dividends and other distributions from Renasant Bank. There are various regulatory restrictions on the ability of Renasant Bank to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. Please refer to the discussion of these restrictions contained in “Description of Common Stock—Dividend Rights” above.

The applicable prospectus supplement will provide an overview of the U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any debt securities we offer for sale.

Transfer and Exchange

As described in the applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security will be represented by either a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) or one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary, or its nominee (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), in the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities. Except as described below under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System,” book-entry debt securities will not be certificated.

Certificated Debt Securities

You can transfer certificated debt securities (and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest thereon) only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities. Either we or the trustee will reissue the existing certificate, or issue a new certificate, to the new holder.

You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. There is no service charge, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any taxes or other governmental charges payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

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Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System

Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of DTC, as the depositary, and registered in the name of Cede & Co. (the depositary’s nominee). DTC is a limited-purpose trust company and a “banking organization” organized under New York law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within in the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, which, in turn, is owned by a number of direct participants of DTC and members of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, Fixed Income Clearing Corporation and Emerging Markets Clearing Corporation, as well as by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange LLC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC. We understand that DTC intends to follow the following procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.

Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to “participants” or persons that may hold interests through participants (sometimes called “indirect participants”). A participant is a person having an account with the depositary for the related global debt security, typically broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the depositary will credit the participants’ accounts on its book-entry registration and transfer system with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities owned by such participants; the depositary will have no knowledge of the underlying beneficial owners of the book-entry debt securities owned by participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities will designate accounts to be credited. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the related global debt security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of indirect participants). Some states may legally require certain purchasers to take physical delivery of such securities, which may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities.

So long as DTC (or its nominee) is the registered owner of a global debt security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. This means that, except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names or to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form nor will such beneficial owners be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on DTC’s procedures for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest. As a beneficial owner of book-entry debt securities, information regarding your holdings will come through the participant, or indirect participant, through which you own such securities.

Notwithstanding the above, under existing industry practice, the depositary may authorize persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain of a holder’s rights. For purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities under the indenture, we, the trustee and our respective agents will treat as the holder of a debt security any persons specified in a written statement of the depositary with respect to that global debt security.

All payments of principal of, and premium and interest on, book-entry debt securities will be paid to DTC (or its nominee) as the registered holder of the related global debt security, and any redemption notices will be sent directly to DTC. Neither we, the trustee nor any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests. We expect DTC, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, premium or interest on a global debt security, to immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments ratably according to the

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respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held by each participant. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, similar to those for securities held in “street name.”

We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each global debt security if the depositary at any time cannot or will not continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and we fail to appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have the book-entry debt securities represented by global debt securities; in that event, we will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for the global debt securities of that series. If an event of default with respect to the book-entry debt securities represented by those global debt securities has occurred and is continuing, holders may exchange global debt securities for certificated debt securities.

We have obtained the foregoing information concerning DTC and its book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions affording holders of the debt securities protection, such as prior consent or acceleration rights, in the event we agree to a change in control or a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control), which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Covenants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any restrictive covenants applicable to any debt securities we offer for sale.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate or merge with, or sell or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person, which we refer to as a “successor,” unless:

Events of Default

For any series of subordinated debt securities issued under the subordinated debt indenture, in addition to any event of default described in the prospectus supplement applicable to that series, an event of default will include the following events:

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The applicable prospectus supplement will explain the events of default for any series of senior debt securities issued under the senior debt indenture which we believe will be substantially similar in all material respects to the events of default under the subordinated debt indenture.

The applicable prospectus supplement will explain whether or not an event of default with respect to one series of debt securities will constitute a cross-default with respect to any other series of debt securities (except that certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization will always constitute cross-defaults).

If an event of default with respect to any outstanding series of subordinated debt securities occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by written notice to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), accelerate the payment of the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. Such acceleration is automatic (with no notice required) in the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. Following acceleration, payments on our subordinated debt securities, if any, will be subject to the subordination provisions described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities.” At any time after acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series, but before the trustee has obtained a court judgment or decree for payment of the amounts due, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We expect that the senior debt indenture will contain provisions substantially similar in all material respects to the provisions of the subordinated debt indenture discussed in this paragraph which will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities will contain particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

The indentures provide that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities unless the trustee is indemnified against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of any subordinated debt security may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the subordinated debt indenture, unless:

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We expect that the senior debt indenture will contain provisions substantially similar in all material respects to the provisions of the subordinated debt indenture discussed in this paragraph which will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

Under the indentures, we must furnish the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year. The indentures provide that, other than with respect to payment defaults, the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of a default or event of default if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may amend the subordinated debt indenture if the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments consent thereto. We may not make any amendment without the consent of the specific holder of an affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

We expect that the senior debt indenture will contain provisions substantially similar in all material respects to the provisions of the subordinated debt indenture discussed in this paragraph which will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of all holders waive our compliance with provisions of the indentures. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of all holders waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a payment default or a default of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

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Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance

We may deposit with the trustee, in trust, cash or cash equivalents in an amount that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, is sufficient in the opinion of a regionally recognized firm of independent public accountants to make all payments of principal, premium and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the subordinated debt securities of that series on the due dates for such payments in accordance with the terms of the subordinated debt indenture and those debt securities. If we make such a deposit, unless otherwise provided under the applicable series of subordinated debt securities, on the 91^st day after such deposit we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the subordinated debt securities of such series (except for obligations relating to the transfer or exchange of debt securities and the replacement of stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities and relating to maintaining paying agencies and the treatment of funds held by paying agents). However, this discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and a legal opinion stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the subordinated debt indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and, based thereon confirming that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants

Under the subordinated debt indenture (and unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of subordinated debt securities), on and after the 91^st day after making the deposit and delivering the legal opinion described in “Legal Defeasance” above, we will not need to comply with the covenants described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants that may be set forth in the applicable supplemental indenture, and any such noncompliance will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series. The foregoing is referred to as “covenant defeasance.”

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default

If we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities and the subordinated debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amounts on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the subordinated debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the subordinated debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default, we will remain liable for those payments.

We expect that the senior debt indenture will contain provisions substantially similar in all material respects to the provisions of the subordinated debt indentures discussed in this section “Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances” which will be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The Trustee

Wilmington Trust, National Association, is the Trustee under the subordinated debt indenture. From time to time, we, and one or more of our subsidiaries, may maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions, including lending transactions, with the Trustee in the ordinary course of business. Additionally, we maintain banking relationships with the Trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business. These banking relationships include the Trustee serving as trustee under indentures involving certain of our trust preferred securities and junior subordinated debt securities.

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If we decide to sell any senior debt securities, we will select a trustee and disclose the name of that trustee in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Upon the occurrence of an event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under any of our debt securities, or upon the occurrence of an event of default under another indenture under which our Trustee may serve as trustee, our Trustee may be deemed to have a conflicting interest. Under such circumstances, our Trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign. In that event, we would be required to appoint a successor trustee.

Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt indenture governs the extent to which payment on any subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities also are effectively subordinated to all debt and other liabilities, including trade payables and lease obligations, if any, of our subsidiaries.

Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of principal and interest on subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such senior indebtedness. If subordinated debt securities are accelerated because of an event of default, the holders of any senior indebtedness will be entitled to payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to such holders of all senior indebtedness obligations before the holders of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution. The indenture requires us or the trustee to promptly notify holders of designated senior indebtedness of any acceleration of payment of the subordinated debt securities.

We may not make any payment on the subordinated debt securities, including upon redemption (whether at the holder’s or our option) if:

We may resume payments and distributions on the subordinated debt securities, in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist; and, in the case of a non-payment default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived and 179 days after the date on which the payment blockage notice is received, if the maturity of the designated senior indebtedness has not been accelerated.

No new payment blockage period may be commenced pursuant to a payment blockage notice unless 365 days have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior payment blockage notice and all scheduled payments on the debt securities that have come due have been paid in full in cash. Generally, a non-payment default existing or continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice cannot be the basis for any later payment blockage notice.

If the trustee or any holder of the subordinated debt securities receives any payment or distribution of our assets in contravention of the foregoing subordination provisions, then such payment or distribution will be held in trust for the benefit of holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives to the extent necessary to make payment in full in cash or payment satisfactory to the holders of senior indebtedness of all unpaid senior indebtedness.

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In the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of the subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors (including our trade creditors). This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the indenture.

The indenture does not prohibit us from incurring debt, including senior indebtedness. We may from time to time incur additional debt, including senior indebtedness.

We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the trustee and to indemnify it against certain losses, liabilities or expenses it incurs in connection with its duties relating to the subordinated debt securities. The trustee’s claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of holders of subordinated debt securities in respect of all funds collected or held by the trustee.

Certain Definitions

“indebtedness” means:

“senior indebtedness” means the principal, premium, if any, interest, including any interest accruing after bankruptcy, and rent or termination payment on or other amounts due on our current or future indebtedness, whether created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by us, including any deferrals, renewals, extensions, refundings, amendments, modifications or supplements to the above. Senior indebtedness does not include:

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Governing Law

The subordinated debt indenture and the subordinated debt securities are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement applicable to the particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt indenture and the senior debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Mississippi.

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the rights to securities that we may offer to our shareholders. Rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering to our shareholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other person would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering.

Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of the series of certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement and other offering material of any rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights agent agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer rights. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the applicable rights agent agreement if we offer rights, see “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable rights agent agreement and the applicable prospectus supplement and any other offering material in their entirety.

The prospectus supplement relating to any rights we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among others, the date of determining the shareholders entitled to the rights distribution, the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights, the exercise price, the conditions to completion of the offering, the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire, and any applicable U.S. Federal income tax considerations. To the extent that any particular terms of the rights, rights agent agreements or rights certificates described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described here, then the terms described here will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement.

Each right entitles the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of securities at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights become void and of no further force or effect.

Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

In this section, we describe the general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer from time to time. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent who will be specified in the warrant agreement and in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of that series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The following description of the warrants we may offer, and any description of such warrants in a prospectus supplement, is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement and related warrant certificate, both of which we will file with the SEC in connection with any offers of warrants. You should refer to, and read this summary and the prospectus supplement together with, the warrant agreement, including the forms of warrant certificates representing the warrants, relating to the specific warrants that we may offer to understand all of the terms of the warrant agreement and the warrants.

General

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or warrants to purchase other securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities or capital stock offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. The applicable prospectus supplement related to an issuance of warrants will describe the terms of such warrants, including the following, as applicable:

Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of common stock or preferred stock will not have any rights of holders of the common stock, preferred stock or other securities purchasable upon such exercise, including any rights to vote such shares or to receive any distributions or dividends thereon.

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Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the number of shares of preferred stock or common stock or such other securities for cash at the exercise price stated in, or calculable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement and warrant agreement. Warrants may be exercised at the warrant agent’s corporate trust office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon the proper exercise of the warrants and our receipt of the full exercise price, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the purchased securities. If less than all of the warrants are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.

Warrants may be exercised at any time prior to the close of business on the expiration date. After the close of business on the expiration date (or such later date to which we may extend the expiration date of the warrants), unexercised warrants will be void and have no further force, effect or value.

Enforceability of Rights; Governing Law

The holders of warrants, without the consent of the warrant agent, may, on their own behalf and for their own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against us to enforce, their rights to exercise and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of their warrants. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each issue of warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Mississippi.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

This section outlines the general terms and provisions of the units that we may offer from time to time. We may issue units comprising one or more of the securities described in this prospectus in any combination. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms and conditions of any units that we issue.

We will issue each unit so that the holder of the unit also is the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. A unit agreement will govern the terms of any units we issue. This unit agreement may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or before a specified date. There may or may not be an active market for units or the underlying securities, and not all the securities comprising a unit may be listed or traded on a securities exchange or market.

Among other things, the prospectus supplement relating to any units that we issue will specify the following terms of such units:

You should note that the description of any units we offer in the applicable prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable unit agreement, which we will file with the SEC in connection with any offer of units. We urge you to read the applicable unit agreement and the applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus inside and outside the United States from time to time through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, directly to one or more purchasers (including our existing shareholders), or through a combination of these methods. The name of any such underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities, the amounts underwritten and the nature of its obligation to take the securities will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time, at market prices prevailing at the times of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

The terms of the offering of securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, if required, filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. Such supplement will describe, among other things:

Underwriters, Dealers and Agents

If we use one or more underwriters in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may then resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The underwriters may offer the securities to the public directly or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if they purchase any securities. The underwriters may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions they allow or reallow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of any such relationship in any prospectus supplement naming such underwriter.

If we use dealers in any sale of securities offered under this prospectus, we will sell the securities to such dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale or at a fixed price agreed to with us at the time of sale. In addition, we may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases of our securities for the period of their appointment or to sell our securities on a continuing basis. If required, the prospectus supplement relating to any particular offering of securities will name any agents designated to solicit offers and will include information about any commissions they may be paid in that offering.

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Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions or profits they receive when they resell the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered in such prospectus supplement, and we will describe their compensation in the prospectus supplement.

We may also effect sales of securities offered under this prospectus from time to time in one or more types of transactions (which may include block transactions, special offerings, exchange distributions, secondary distributions or purchases by a broker or dealer) on Nasdaq or any other national securities exchange or automated trading and quotation system on which our common stock or other securities are listed, in the over-the-counter market, in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges and systems or the over-the-counter market, including negotiated transactions, through options transactions relating to the shares, or a combination of such methods of sale, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at negotiated prices or at fixed prices. Such transactions may or may not involve brokers or dealers.

Direct Sales

We may choose to sell the securities offered under this prospectus directly. In this case, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved except as otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement.

We may sell the securities offered under this prospectus directly to institutional or other investors, who may be deemed underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to resales of those securities. The terms of these sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers from certain institutions whereby the institution contractually agrees to purchase the securities from us at a specific price under delayed delivery contracts. This type of contract may be made only with institutions that we specifically approve. Such institutions could include banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. The underwriters, dealers or agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of these contracts. The prospectus supplement relating to the contracts will set forth the price to be paid for offered securities pursuant to such contracts, the commission payable for solicitation of the contracts and the date or dates in the future for delivery of offered securities pursuant to the contracts.

Passive Market Making, Stabilization and Other Activities

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on Nasdaq. Any shares of common stock sold hereunder will be listed on Nasdaq. We may elect to list any other securities on any additional exchange or market, but we are not obligated to do so unless stated otherwise in a prospectus supplement. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

In connection with the distribution of the securities offered under this prospectus, we may enter into swap or other hedging transactions with, or arranged by, underwriters or agents and their affiliates. We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates a connection with those derivatives, then the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to

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close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the NASDAQ Stock Market may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.

In order to facilitate the offering of any of the securities offered under this prospectus, we may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover overallotments, if any, in connection with the distribution. Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with SEC orders, rules and regulations, including Regulation M, and applicable law. To the extent permitted by applicable law and SEC orders, rules and regulations, an overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. To the extent permitted by applicable law and SEC orders, rules and regulations, syndicate short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of these securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time, all as will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Limitations under State Law

Under the securities law of various states, the securities offered under this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in various states the securities offered under this prospectus may not be offered and sold unless such securities have been registered or qualified for sale in the state or an exemption from such registration or qualification is available and is complied with. We are not making an offer of securities in any state that does not permit such an offer.

Indemnification

We expect that any agreements we may enter into with underwriters, dealers and agents will include provisions entitling them to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or providing for contribution from us with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect of such civil liabilities. Underwriters, dealers or agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

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LEGAL MATTERS

Phelps Dunbar LLP, our counsel, will pass upon certain legal matters with respect to the securities offered by us from time to time pursuant to this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Phelps Dunbar LLP also provides legal advice to us on a regular basis.

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the name of the law firm advising any underwriters or agents with respect to certain issues relating to any offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Renasant as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 have been incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus from Renasant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 in reliance upon the reports of HORNE LLP, independent registered public accountants, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

The following table sets forth the expenses to be incurred in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered, all of which will be paid by Renasant Corporation (the “Registrant”). Because an indeterminate amount of securities are covered by this Registration Statement, expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of securities are not currently determinable.

Mississippi Business Corporation Act

The Mississippi Business Corporation Act (“MBCA”) empowers a Mississippi corporation such as Renasant Corporation (the “Registrant”) to indemnify an individual who was, is or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding of any kind because he is a director of the corporation, or because he served at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, manager, trustee, partner, employee or agent of another entity or employee benefit plan, against a judgment, settlement, penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan) or reasonable expenses incurred in the proceeding, if:

A corporation may also indemnify an individual who engaged in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or obligatory under a provision of the articles of incorporation as authorized by Section 79-4-2.02(b)(5) of the MBCA. The termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent is not, of itself, determinative that the director did not meet the relevant standard of conduct.

Unless ordered by a court pursuant to Section 79-4-8.54 of the MBCA, a corporation may not indemnify a director in connection with:

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The MBCA further provides that a corporation shall indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party because he was a director of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the proceeding.

A corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding because he is a director. The director must deliver to the corporation: (1) a signed written affirmation of his good faith belief that he has met the relevant standard of conduct under the MBCA described above or that the proceeding involves conduct for which liability has been eliminated under a provision of the articles of incorporation as authorized by the MBCA; and (2) his written undertaking to repay any funds advanced if he is not entitled to mandatory indemnification under the MBCA and it is ultimately determined under the MBCA that he has not met the relevant standard of conduct described in the MBCA. The undertaking required must be an unlimited general obligation of the director. It need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to the financial ability of the director to make repayment.

A corporation may not indemnify a director as described above unless authorized by:

In addition, a director may apply for indemnification and/or an advance of expenses to the court conducting the proceeding to which the director is a party in accordance with Section 79-4-8.54 of the MBCA.

A corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because he is an officer to the same extent as for a director and, if the officer is not a director or is a party to the proceeding solely on the basis of his acts or omissions as an officer, to such further extent as provided in the corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws or a resolution of the corporation’s board of directors or by contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an officer may not be indemnified for conduct for which a director may not be indemnified as provided above or for an intentional violation of law or infliction of harm on the corporation or its shareholders.

Renasant Bylaws

The Amended and Restated Bylaws of contain indemnification provisions that require the Registrant to indemnify any director or officer made party to any proceeding if such director or officer met the requisite standard of conduct set forth in the bylaws and such indemnification is not otherwise prohibited by Mississippi or federal law. The required standard of conduct under the bylaws is the same as that under the MBCA. Under the bylaws, the determination whether a director or officer met the required standard of conduct is made by the board of directors, special legal counsel, if there are fewer than two disinterested directors on the board of directors, or by the Registrant’s shareholders. The advancement of expenses is also mandatory under the Registrant’s bylaws, provided that the director or officer makes deliveries analogous to those required under the MBCA and such advancement is authorized as provided under the MBCA. Similarly, the Registrant is prohibited from indemnifying a director or officer under the same circumstances as provided in the MBCA. The indemnification and insurance provisions in the Registrant’s bylaws are subject to the limitations and prohibitions imposed by

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federal law including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended, and any implementing regulations concerning indemnification.

The Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation do not address indemnification of directors and officers.

The Registrant also maintains an insurance policy insuring the Registrant and its directors and officers against certain liabilities.

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The Registrant does not have any long-term debt instruments under which securities are authorized exceeding 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Registrant will furnish to the SEC, upon its request, a copy of all long-term debt instruments.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of a 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 of 1933, as amended, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tupelo, State of Mississippi, on this 17^th day of September, 2018.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that we, the undersigned directors and officers of Renasant Corporation, a Mississippi corporation (“Renasant”), do hereby name, constitute and appoint E. Robinson McGraw, C. Mitchell Waycaster and Kevin D. Chapman, and each or either of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), our true and lawful agents and attorneys-in-fact, for us and on our behalf and in our name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute, acknowledge, deliver, and file (a) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any other governmental or regulatory authority), any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any additional registration statements relating to the registration of additional securities pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with any and all exhibits and any and all other documents required to be filed with respect thereto or in connection therewith, and (b) with the securities agencies or officials of various jurisdictions, all applications, qualifications, registrations or exemptions relating to such offering under the laws of any such jurisdiction, including any amendments thereto or other documents required to be filed with respect thereto or in connection therewith, granting unto said agents and attorneys, 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 in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, and the undersigned hereby ratify and confirm all that said agents and attorneys-in-fact, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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