Exhibit 15.1

Awareness of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm

We acknowledge the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Simmons First National Corporation of our reports dated May 10, 2013, August 9, 2013 and November 12, 2013 included with the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013.  Pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, these reports should not be considered a part of the registration statement prepared or certified by us within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

/s/BKD, LLP

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

March 4, 2014