8-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)			April 26, 2017
MidSouth Bancorp, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana		1-11826		72-1020809
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
102 Versailles Boulevard, Lafayette, Louisiana				70501
(Address of principal executive offices)				(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 337-237-8343
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):
¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rile 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13 (a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

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Item 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.

On April 26, 2017, the Board of Directors of MidSouth Bancorp, Inc. (“MidSouth”) terminated the employment of C.R. “Rusty” Cloutier as President and Chief Executive Officer of MidSouth and also terminated the employment of Troy Cloutier as Chief Banking Officer of MidSouth and President and Chief Executive Officer of MidSouth Bank, N.A. (“MidSouth Bank”), effective immediately.

On April 26, 2017, the Board of Directors appointed Jim McLemore to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer for both MidSouth and MidSouth Bank on an interim basis. Mr. McLemore, age 57, has served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MidSouth and MidSouth Bank since July 2009. Mr. McLemore will also retain his position as Chief Financial Officer of MidSouth and MidSouth Bank during the interim period. In connection with the increase in responsibilities, Mr. McLemore’s annual base salary will increase from $257,500 to $305,000.

A copy of a press release issued by MidSouth on April 27, 2017 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d)           Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated April 27, 2017.

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Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		MIDSOUTH BANCORP, INC.
		Registrant
By:	/s/ James R. McLemore
	James R. McLemore
	Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:	May 2, 2017

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EX-99.1

Investor Contacts: Lorraine Miller, CFA

Senior Vice President

337.593.3143

MidSouth Bancorp, Inc. Announces Leadership Transition

Appoints James R. McLemore Interim President and CEO

LAFAYETTE, LA., April 27, 2017/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MidSouth Bancorp, Inc. (“MidSouth”) (NYSE:MSL) today announced Rusty Cloutier’s employment as President and CEO of MidSouth Bancorp, Inc has been terminated. MidSouth also announced Troy Cloutier’s employment as President and CEO of MidSouth Bank has been terminated.

This decision by the Board of Directors is part of a transition plan already underway to improve the performance of the Company. Jim McLemore has been appointed President and CEO on an interim basis for both the holding company and bank. Mr. McLemore has over 30 years of banking industry experience, including 8 years with MidSouth as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. McLemore will also retain his position as Chief Financial Officer during the interim period. These leadership changes are effective immediately. Jake Delhomme, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MidSouth Bancorp, Inc. stated, “The Board of Directors is fully supportive of Mr. McLemore in his immediate endeavors as President and CEO.”

As part of its transition plan, MidSouth has recently hired two highly qualified executives with very deep experience from larger financial institutions. Erin DeWitt recently joined MidSouth as Chief Risk Officer, a position she held for two years with Scottrade Financial Services. In the preceding seven years, she worked at Capital One in various risk roles. Kade Peterson was recently hired as Chief Information Officer, after three years as Executive Vice President – Chief Operating Officer of USAmeriBank in Tampa, FL. Prior to that he was EVP-Operations and Technology Executive for Sterling Bank in Spokane, Washington.

About MidSouth Bancorp, Inc.

MidSouth Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, with assets of $1.9 billion as of March 31, 2017. MidSouth Bancorp, Inc. trades on the NYSE under the symbol “MSL.” Through its wholly owned subsidiary, MidSouth Bank, N.A., MidSouth offers a full range of banking services to commercial and retail customers in Louisiana and Texas. MidSouth Bank currently has 57 locations in Louisiana and Texas and is connected to a worldwide ATM network that provides customers with access to more than 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Additional corporate information is available at MidSouthBank.com.

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