Peoples Financial Corporation, parent of The Peoples Bank, announced that on April 1, 2022, Lauri A. Wood, Chief Financial Officer of Peoples Financial Corporation, will retire from the Company. Ms. Wood's intention to retire was publicly announced on November 19, 2021. Ms. Wood leaves the Company after more than 32 years of service. She has served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1994.

The Company has hired Leslie B. Fulton, C.P.A., who started her employment on March 21, 2022. Mrs. Fulton will be appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company. She has a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration in Accounting, with honors, from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. Mrs. Fulton has more than 15 years of accounting experience in the banking industry in south Louisiana and almost two years of experience in public accounting. She has a wealth of experience in financial institution financial reporting, working with regulatory authorities, asset liability management and credit loss analysis. A native of Gautier, MS, she will be continuing her career on the Mississippi Gulf Coast among her family and friends.

"We are confident that Leslie will be a great addition to our management team," said Chevis C. Swetman, President and CEO of the Company and its bank subsidiary. "During the search process, she impressed us with her financial institution knowledge as well as her communication skills."

Founded in 1896, with $819 million in total assets as of December 31, 2021, The Peoples Bank operates 18 branches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. In addition to offering a comprehensive range of retail and commercial banking services, the Bank also operates a trust and investment services department that has provided customers with financial, estate and retirement planning services since 1936.