First Bank Corp., First State Bank sign merger agreement

First Bank Corp., a bank holding company that includes First National Bank of Fort Smith, is merging with Russellville-based First State Bank in a stock and cash deal. Sam T. Sicard, CEO of First Bank Corp., said they hope for regulatory approval by the end of March. While the deal is referred to as a merger, the controlling entity will be First Bank Corp. First Bank Corp is a holding company comprised of First National Bank of Fort Smith, First National Bank of NWA, National Bank of Sallisaw, Citizens Bank and Trust, and Central National Bank of Poteau. First State Bank was founded in 1934 in Plainview, Ark., and moved its headquarters to Russellville in 1999.