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 - July 18, 2002


                          THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY
                          ---------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


               Mississippi         1-13253        64-0676974
               -----------         -------        ----------
               (State or           (Commission    (I.R.S. Iden-
               other                file          tification
               jurisdiction)        number)       number)


                209 Troy Street, Tupelo, Mississippi 38802-0709
                ------------------------------------ ----------
              (Address of principal executive officers) (Zip Code)

                  Registrant's Telephone Number: (662)680-1001



ITEM 1:   CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT.
          ---------------------------------

          Not applicable

ITEM 2:   ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.
          -------------------------------------

          Not applicable

ITEM 3:   BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP.
          ---------------------------

          Not applicable

ITEM 4:   CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANTS.
          -----------------------------------------------

          Not applicable

ITEM 5:   OTHER EVENTS.
          -------------

          At the close of business on July 17, 2002, The Peoples Holding Company
          issued a press release concerning its earnings and results for the
          second quarter of 2002.

ITEM 6:   RESIGNATION OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS.
          --------------------------------------

          Not applicable

ITEM 7:   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
          ----------------------------------

          99.1  Press Release, dated July 17, 2002, issued by The Peoples
                Holding Company.

ITEM 8:   CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.
          ----------------------

          Not applicable

ITEM 9:   SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES PURSUANT TO REGULATION S.
          ----------------------------------------------------

          Not applicable





                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of The  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report to be  signed  on it's  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorzied.


                                   THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY
                                   ---------------------------
                                           Registrant


                                   /s/  E. Robinson McGraw
                                   ---------------------------
                                        E. Robinson McGraw
                               President & Chief Executive Officer


DATE:     July 18, 2002