UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

          Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 17, 2000



                       SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



            Arkansas                  0-6253                   71-0407808
(State or other jurisdiction of     (Commission             (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)      file number)            identification No.)




 501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas                             71601
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)



                                 (870)541-1000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)




ITEM: 5

The following is the text of a press release issued by the registrant at 8:20
A.M. Central Standard Time on July 17, 2000.





FOR RELEASE: Monday, July 17, 2000

                       SIMMONS FIRST COMPLETES PURCHASE OF
                      EIGHT FIRST FINANCIAL BANKING OFFICES

         Pine  Bluff,  AR --  Simmons  First  National  Corporation  (SFNC)  has
expanded its coverage of Central and Northwest Arkansas with the purchase of two
Conway and six Northwest Arkansas locations of First Financial Banc Corporation,
according  to J.  Thomas  May,  Simmons  First  chairman,  president  and  chief
executive officer.

         The  offices in  Conway,  Fayetteville,  Springdale,  Rogers and Siloam
Springs have  combined  deposits of  approximately  $71  million,  and will open
Monday,  July 17 under the Simmons  First  banner.  Simmons  First also acquired
assets  with an  estimated  value  of $78  million,  including  selected  loans,
premises, cash and other assets.

         May said, "We are excited about this  opportunity  of continued  growth
and offering  the Simmons  First  philosophy  of  community  banking  throughout
Arkansas.  These  locations  allow  us to fill  some  geographical  voids in our
efforts to  establish  a network of  community  banks and also to  increase  our
presence where we are already located."

         The two Conway  locations  are part of Simmons  First  National Bank in
Pine Bluff and the six offices in Northwest  Arkansas are part of Simmons  First
Bank of Northwest Arkansas.

         May also noted,  "Simmons First's emphasis on local decision making and
outstanding customer service will continue to serve our customers well. The same
friendly  associates  who have  served the  industries,  retail  businesses  and
individuals  for so many years in Conway and  Northwest  Arkansas will remain as
part of the Simmons First team."

         SFNC is a $1.8 billion multi-bank holding company, with community banks
headquartered  in  Pine  Bluff,   Jonesboro,   Lake  Village,   Dumas,   Rogers,
Russellville,  Searcy and El Dorado, Arkansas. The Company's eight banks conduct
financial operations from 63 offices in 33 Arkansas  communities.  The Company's
common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol "SFNCA."

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lawrence Fikes
Vice President - Marketing Group
1-800-272-2213