UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

                ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 AND 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                     For fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
                         Commission file number 1-13253

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

                             Mississippi 64-0676974
                ------------------------------- -----------------
                (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
               incorporation or organization) identification No.)

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

                  Registrant's Telephone Number: (601) 680-1001

                        Securities registered pursuant to
                            Section 12(b) of the Act:

       (Title of Class)               Name of each exchange on which registered
- ------------------------------        -----------------------------------------
Common Stock, $5.00 Par Value                American Stock Exchange 
                         
                               
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  periods that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. YES__X___NO_____

Disclosure of delinquent  filings pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K will be
contained in the  registrant's  proxy  statement for its 1999 annual  meeting of
shareholders,  which  statement is incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K. Yes____ No__X__

The  aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of the
registrant as of March 23, 1999 was $197,981,489.

On March 23, 1999, there were 5,844,472 shares of common stock outstanding.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the 1998 Annual  Shareholders'  Report are incorporated by reference
into Parts I and II of this report.

Portions of annual Proxy Statement dated March 22, 1999,  relating to the annual
meeting of  shareholders  of The Peoples Holding  Company,  are  incorporated by
reference into Part III.




                                                             







                                 
                            Exhibit Index on Page 17

                           THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY

                                    FORM 10-K

                      For the year ended December 31, 1998

                                    CONTENTS

PART I

         Item  1.  Business.............................................3
         Item  2.  Properties..........................................12
         Item  3.  Legal Proceedings...................................12
         Item  4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.12

PART II

         Item  5.  Market for Registrant's Common Stock
                   and Related Stockholder Matters.....................12
         Item  6.  Selected Financial Data.............................13
         Item  7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                   Financial Condition and Results of Operations.......13
         Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
                   Market Risk.........................................13
         Item  8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.........13
         Item  9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
                       Accounting and Financial Disclosure.............13

PART III

         Item  10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..13
         Item  11. Executive Compensation..............................13
         Item  12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
                   and Management......................................13
         Item  13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions......13

PART IV.

         Item  14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
                   Reports on Form 8-K.................................14














                                       2
                                                             
                                                             


                                     PART I

This  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K may  contain  or  incorporate  by  reference
statements which may constitute "forward-looking  statements" within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  and Section 21 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Prospective investors are cautioned
that  any  such  forward-looking   statements  are  not  guarantees  for  future
performance  and involve risks and  uncertainties,  and that actual  results may
differ materially from those  contemplated by such  forward-looking  statements.
Important  factors currently known to management that could cause actual results
to  differ  materially  from  those  in   forward-looking   statements   include
significant  fluctuations  in interest  rates,  inflation,  economic  recession,
significant  changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory  environment,
significant  underperformance  in the Company's  portfolio of outstanding loans,
and competition in the Company's  markets.  The Company undertakes no obligation
to update or revise  forward-looking  statements to reflect changed assumptions,
the occurrence of unanticipated  events or changes to future  operating  results
over time.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

The Peoples Holding Company (the "Registrant" or "Company"), was organized under
the laws of the State of Mississippi  and  incorporated on November 10, 1982, in
order to acquire all of the common  stock of The Peoples  Bank & Trust  Company,
Tupelo, Mississippi (the "Bank").

Organization

The  Registrant  commenced  business on July 1, 1983 and the  acquisition of the
Bank  was  also  consummated  at  that  time.  All of the  Registrant's  banking
activities  are conducted  through the Bank,  which on December 31, 1998, had 41
banking offices in Tupelo,  Aberdeen,  Amory,  Batesville,  Booneville,  Calhoun
City, Coffeeville,  Corinth, Grenada, Guntown,  Hernando, Iuka, Louisville,  New
Albany,  Okolona,  Olive  Branch,  Plantersville,  Pontotoc,  Saltillo,  Sardis,
Shannon,  Smithville,  Southaven,  Verona, Water Valley, West Point, and Winona,
Mississippi.

All members of the Board of Directors of the  Registrant are also members of the
Board of Directors of the Bank.  Responsibility  for the  management of the Bank
and its branches  remains with the Board of Directors  and Officers of the Bank;
however, management services rendered to the Bank by the Registrant are intended
to  supplement  the  internal  management  of the Bank and  expand  the scope of
banking services normally offered by them.

The Bank,  which is the  Registrant's  primary  subsidiary,  was  established in
February 1904, as a state  chartered  bank. It is insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation.

As a commercial  bank, a complete  range of banking and  financial  services are
provided to  individuals  and small- to medium-size  businesses.  These services
include  checking and savings  accounts,  business and personal  loans,  interim
construction and residential mortgage loans,  student loans,  equipment leasing,
as well as safe  deposit  and  night  depository  facilities.  Automated  teller
machines  located  throughout our market area provide 24-hour banking  services.
The Bank also offers to its  customers  the VISA and  MasterCard  credit  cards.
Accounts  receivable  factoring is also  available to qualified  businesses.  In
addition to a wide  variety of  fiduciary  services,  the Bank  administers  (as
trustee  or  in  other   fiduciary  or   representative   capacities)   pension,
profit-sharing and other employee benefit plans and personal trusts and estates.
The Company also offers  annuities and mutual funds.  Neither the Registrant nor
the Bank has any foreign activities.

                                      
                                       3


Competition

Vigorous  competition  exists in all major  areas where the  Registrant  and its
subsidiary are engaged in business. Not only does the Registrant compete through
its  subsidiary  bank with state and national  banks in its service  areas,  but
also,  with savings and loan  associations,  credit unions,  finance  companies,
mortgage  companies,   insurance  companies,  brokerage  firms,  and  investment
companies for available loans and depository accounts. All of these institutions
compete in the delivery of services and products through availability,  quality,
and pricing.  Within the  Registrant's  market area, none of the competitors are
dominant.

Supervision and Regulation

The Registrant is a bank holding  company within the meaning of the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "Act"),  and is registered as such with the
Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System (the "Board").  The Registrant
is required to file with the Board an annual  report and such other  information
as the Board may require. The Board may also make examinations of the Registrant
and its subsidiary  pursuant to the Act. The Board also has the authority (which
it has not  exercised) to regulate  provisions  of certain bank holding  company
debt.

The Act  requires  every bank holding  company to obtain  prior  approval of the
Board before acquiring  direct or indirect  ownership or control of more than 5%
of the voting  shares of any bank  which is not  already  majority-owned  by the
Registrant.  The Act provides that the Board shall not approve any  acquisition,
merger or  consolidation  which  would  result in  monopoly or which would be in
furtherance  of any  combination  or  conspiracy  to  monopolize  or  attempt to
monopolize  the  business of banking,  or any other  transactions  the effect of
which might substantially lessen competition, or in any manner be a restraint on
trade,  unless the  anti-competitive  effects of the  proposed  transaction  are
clearly  outweighed  in the  public  interest  by  the  probable  effect  of the
transaction in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served.

The Act also prohibits a bank holding  company,  with certain  exceptions,  from
itself  engaging in or acquiring  direct or indirect  control of more than 5% of
the  voting  shares  of any  company  engaged  in  non-banking  activities.  The
principal  exception is for engaging in or acquiring  shares of a company  whose
activities  are  found by the  Board to be so  closely  related  to  banking  or
managing banks as to be a proper incident thereto. In making such determinations
the Board is required to consider  whether the performance of such activities by
a bank holding company or its subsidiaries can reasonably be expected to produce
benefits to the public such as greater  convenience,  increased  competition  or
gains in efficiency of resources,  versus the risks of possible  adverse effects
such as  decreased  or unfair  competition,  conflicts  of  interest  or unsound
banking practices.

The Act prohibits the  acquisition by a bank holding  company of more than 5% of
the  outstanding  voting shares of a bank located outside the state in which the
operations of its banking subsidiaries are principally conducted, unless such an
acquisition is specifically authorized by statute of the state in which the bank
to be acquired is located.

The Registrant and its subsidiary are subject to certain restrictions imposed by
the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit  Insurance Act on any extensions
of credit to the bank holding company or its  subsidiary,  on investments in the
stock or other securities of the bank holding company or its subsidiary,  and on
taking such stock or other securities as collateral for loans of any borrower.

                                       4


The Bank was chartered under the laws of the State of Mississippi and is subject
to the supervision  of, and is regularly  examined by, the Department of Banking
and Consumer  Finance of the State of  Mississippi.  The Bank is also insured by
the Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  and is subject to examination  and
review by that regulatory authority.

Mississippi banks are permitted to merge with other existing banks statewide and
to acquire or be acquired,  by banks or bank holding  companies.  Section 102 of
the Riegle-Neal  Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 removed
territorial  restrictions  for interstate  bank mergers,  effective May 1, 1997.
Out-of-state  bank holding companies may establish a bank in Mississippi only by
acquiring a Mississippi bank or Mississippi bank holding company.

Certain  restrictions  exist regarding the ability of the Bank to transfer funds
to the Company in the form of cash dividends,  loans, or advances.  The approval
of the Mississippi  Department of Banking and Consumer Finance is required prior
to the Bank paying dividends and is limited to earned surplus in excess of three
times the Bank's capital stock.

Federal  Reserve  regulations  also  limit the  amount  the Bank may loan to the
Company  unless  such  loans are  collateralized  by  specific  obligations.  At
December 31, 1998,  the maximum  amount  available for transfer from the Bank to
the Company in the form of loans was 11% of consolidated net assets.

Mississippi  laws  authorize  multi-bank  holding  companies  but  there  are no
statutes regulating the operation of such companies.

Monetary Policy and Economic Controls

The  earnings  and growth of the  banking  industry,  the Bank and,  to a larger
extent, the Registrant,  are affected by the policies of regulatory authorities,
including  the Federal  Reserve  System.  An  important  function of the Federal
Reserve  System is to regulate  the  national  supply of bank credit in order to
combat  recession and curb  inflationary  pressures.  Among the  instruments  of
monetary policy used by the Federal  Reserve to implement  these  objectives are
open market operations in U. S. Government  securities,  changes in the discount
rate on bank  borrowings  and  changes  in  reserve  requirements  against  bank
deposits.  These  instruments are used in varying  degrees to influence  overall
growth of bank loans,  investments  and  deposits  and may also affect  interest
rates charged on loans or paid for deposits.

The  monetary  policies of the  Federal  Reserve  System have had a  significant
effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected
to do so in the future.  In view of changing  conditions in the national economy
and in the  various  money  markets as well as the effect of actions by monetary
and fiscal  authorities  including  the Federal  Reserve  System,  the effect on
future  business and earnings of the  Registrant  and its  subsidiary  cannot be
predicted with accuracy.

In the past few years, the trend seems to be toward competitive  equality within
the financial services industry.  This was evidenced in 1980 by the formation of
the Depository Institution  Deregulation Committee (the "DIDC"). The DIDC's sole
purpose was to eliminate the  restrictions  imposed upon the rates of interest a
depository  institution  could  pay on a  deposit  account.  The trend was again
evidenced  in  1982  with  the  passage  of  the  Garn-St.   Germain  Depository
Institutions  Act. This act provided for,  among other things,  the money market
account.  This account was designed to operate in a manner  similar to the money
market mutual funds being  offered by the  investment  brokers.  It would earn a
market rate of interest,  with  limited  third-party  withdrawals  and a minimum
balance requirement.
                
                                       5


Source and Availability of Funds

The funds essential to the business of the Registrant and its subsidiary consist
primarily of funds  derived from  customer  deposits and  borrowings  of federal
funds by the  banking  subsidiary,  and from loans  under  established  lines of
credit. The availability of such funds is primarily  dependent upon the economic
policies  of the  federal  government,  the  economy in general  and the general
credit market for loans.

Personnel

Alex  Sheshunoff   Management  Services  completed  a  comprehensive   strategic
assessment   of  the  Bank  and   designed   an   action   plan  to   facilitate
organization-wide  structural  changes.  The action plan  addressed  operational
costs, risk management,  redundant activities, manual processes,  under-utilized
automation,  and the future  automation of inefficient  work methods.  With this
move to automation came the need to displace  selected jobs.  Normal  attrition,
retirement,  and our displacement  schedule have reduced the Registrant's number
of employees to 480 on a full-time basis at December 31, 1998.

Dependence Upon a Single Customer

Neither the Registrant nor its subsidiary is dependent upon a single customer or
upon a limited number of customers.

Segment Reporting

The information  under the caption "Note P - Segment  Reporting" on Pages 19 and
20 of the Registrant's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein
by reference.

Acquisition of Certain Assets and Liabilities

In the past several years,  the Bank has acquired several banks and continues to
examine  other  possible  candidates  for  acquisition  by  cash or  stock  or a
combination of both. During December 1998, the Company entered into an agreement
with Inter-City Federal Bank for Savings in Louisville,  Mississippi, to acquire
approximately  $34,890,000 in loans and $38,530,000 in deposits. The information
under  the  caption  "Note  B -  Mergers  and  Acquisitions"  on  Page 10 of the
Registrant's  1998  Annual  Report to  Shareholders  is  incorporated  herein by
reference.

Executive Officers of The Registrant

The principal executive officer of the Company and its subsidiary as of December
31, 1998, is as follows:

                   Name                             Age
                   ----                             ---
               John W. Smith                         63

Position and Office:  Director and Executive  Vice President of the Company from
July 1983 until August 1993;  Director and President of the Company since August
1993,  and Vice  Chairman of the Board since April 1997.  Director and Executive
Vice President of the Bank from 1978 and 1976, respectively,  until August 1993;
Director,  President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank since August 1993,
and Vice Chairman of the Board since April 1997.

All of the Registrant's officers are appointed annually by the appropriate Board
of Directors to serve at the discretion of the Board.

                                       6

Net Interest Income

The following table sets forth for The Peoples Holding  Company,  as of December
31 for the years  indicated,  a summary of the  changes in  interest  earned and
interest paid resulting  from changes in volume and rates.  

                                            1998 COMPARED TO 1997

                                          INCREASE(DECREASE) DUE TO
                                          -------------------------
                                       VOLUME        RATE      NET (1)
                                       ------        ----      -------
                                               (In Thousands)
Earning assets:
Loans, net of
  unearned income ................   $  5,390    $   (986)  $  4,404    

Securities
  U. S. government
    securities and agencies ......       (802)        (19)      (821) 
  Obligations of states and
    political subdivisions .......        928        (229)       699
  Mortgage-backed securities .....      1,459        (296)     1,163
  Other securities ...............         13           4         17

Other ............................        243           7        250
                                     --------    --------   --------
Total earning assets .............   $  7,231    $ (1,519)  $  5,712
                                     --------    --------   --------

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand
  deposit accounts ...............   $    (14)   $     14   $      0
Savings accounts .................      1,133         307      1,440
Time deposits ....................      1,911         288      2,199
Other ............................        183          17        200 
                                     --------    --------   --------
Total interest-bearing
  liabilities ....................   $  3,213    $    626   $  3,839
                                     --------    --------   --------
Change in net interest
  income .........................   $  4,018    $ (2,145)  $  1,873
                                     ========    ========   ========

(1) The change in interest due to both volume and rate has been  allocated on a
    pro-rata basis using the absolute ratio value of amounts calculated.







                                                             
                                       7

                                             1997 COMPARED TO 1996

                                          INCREASE(DECREASE) DUE TO
                                          -------------------------
                                       VOLUME        RATE      NET (1)
                                       ------        ----      -------
                                               (In Thousands)
Earning assets:
Loans, net of
  unearned income ................   $  5,362    $   (292)  $  5,070

Securities
  U. S. government
    securities and agencies ......       (199)        (62)      (261) 
  Obligations of states and
    political subdivisions .......        242         (56)       186
  Mortgage-backed securities .....      1,158         (31)     1,127
  Other securities ...............        (25)         10        (15)

Other ............................       (339)          8       (331)
                                     --------    --------   --------
Total earning assets .............   $  6,199    $   (423)  $  5,776
                                     --------    --------   --------

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand
  deposit accounts ...............   $ (1,042)   $     32   $ (1,010)
Savings accounts .................        967         552      1,519
Time deposits ....................      1,901         383      2,284
Other ............................        558         209        767 
                                     --------    --------   --------
Total interest-bearing
  liabilities ....................   $  2,384    $  1,176   $  3,560
                                     --------    --------   --------
Change in net interest
  income .........................   $  3,815    $ (1,599)  $  2,216
                                     ========    ========   ========

                                      

(1) The change in interest  due to both volume and rate has been  allocated on a
    pro-rata basis using the absolute ratio value of amounts calculated.







                                                           
                                       8



Investment Portfolio

The  following  table sets forth the  amortized  cost of securities at the dates
indicated:


                                     December 31
                                     -----------
                              1998        1997        1996
                           ---------    --------    --------
                                    (In Thousands)

U.S. Government and             
  Agency Securities ....  $ 104,997    $ 110,683   $ 125,087
Obligations of State and                                   
  Political Subdivisions     76,893       59,893      52,051
Other Securities .......    107,852       77,153      68,610
                             ------       ------      ------
                          $ 289,742    $ 247,729   $ 245,748
                          =========    =========    ========
                                                          
                                                  

The  following  table sets forth the  maturity  distribution  in  thousands  and
weighted average yield by maturity of securities at December 31, 1998:




                                         After One           After Five   
                         Within          But Within          But Within           After
                        One Year         Five Years          Ten Years          Ten Years
                        --------         -----------         ----------         ---------
                                                              
                      
U.S Government
  and Agency
  Securities ...   $ 47,377  6.24%     $ 35,635  6.07%    $ 21,985  6.25%   $      0  0.00% 

Obligations of
  States and
  Political
  Subdivisions .      3,179  9.20%       14,668  8.50%      41,941  7.40%     17,105  7.40%

Other Securities     34,098  6.22%       51,157  6.19%      22,597  6.10%          0  0.00%
                     ------              ------              -----            ------
Total ..........   $ 84,654            $101,460           $ 86,523          $ 17,105
                     ======             =======             ======            ======
                       




The  maturity  of  mortgage-backed  securities,  included  as other  securities,
reflects scheduled repayments when the payment is due.

Weighted average yields on tax-exempt  obligations have been computed on a fully
tax-equivalent  basis assuming a federal tax rate of 35% and a Mississippi state
tax rate of 3.3%, which is net of federal tax benefit.

                                       9


Loans Outstanding

The following table sets forth loans  outstanding as of December 31, 1998, which
based on remaining  scheduled  repayments of  principal,  are due in the periods
indicated. Real estate mortgage loans and consumer loans are excluded, while net
receivables  on leased  equipment  are  included in  commercial,  financial  and
agricultural loans in the consolidated  financial statements.  Also, amounts due
after  one year  are  classified  according  to their  sensitivity  to  changing
interest rates.



                                 Loans Maturing
                  -----------------------------------------
                                             
                            After One     After
                   Within   But Within    Five
                  One Year  Five Years    Years     Total
                  --------  ----------    -----     -----
                                 (In Thousands)
Commercial,
  financial and
  agricultural   $  85,892  $  37,725  $  13,655  $ 137,272
Real estate-
  construction      22,767      2,641        154     25,562
                  --------   --------   --------   --------
                 $ 108,659  $  40,366  $  13,809  $ 162,834
                  ========   ========   ========   ========



                                Interest Sensitivity
                                --------------------
                                                                            
                             Fixed             Variable
                              Rate               Rate
                              ----               ----
                                                                             
                                   (In Thousands)
Due after 1 but within 5
  years .................   $37,493            $ 2,873
Due after 5 years .......    13,772                 37  
                            -------             ------
                            $51,265            $ 2,910
                            =======            =======







                                       10



Allowance for Loan Losses

The  allowance  for loan losses  provides  coverage  for losses  inherent in the
Company's loan portfolio.  Management  reviews the adequacy of the allowance for
loan  losses  each  quarter.  The  overall  allowance  is  evaluated  based on a
continuing assessment of problem loans, historical loss experience,  new lending
products,  emerging  credit  trends,  changes in the size and  character of loan
categories,  and other  factors  including  its risk rating  system,  regulatory
guidance and economic  conditions.  Management has determined that the allowance
for loan losses is adequate,  although  financial  market  volatility,  economic
reversals  or  decreased  corporate  earnings  could  require an increase in the
required allowance.

Management allocates the allowance for loan losses by loan category. Commercial,
financial and agricultural and real estate - mortgage allocations are based on a
quarterly  review of individual  loans  outstanding  and binding  commitments to
lend. Reserves are allocated based on actual loss experience and to credits with
similar risk characteristics. Consumer loan allocations are based on an analysis
of product mix, credit scoring,  migration analyses,  bankruptcy  experience and
historical and expected delinquency and charge-off statistics.

No portion of the  allowance is restricted  to any  individual  loan or group of
loans,  rather the entire  allowance  is  restricted  to absorb  losses from the
entire loan portfolio.

The Company also maintains an  unallocated  allowance to recognize the existence
of other exposures,  including but not limited to, the risk in concentrations to
specific  borrowers,  financings of highly leveraged  transactions,  products or
industries.

The following  table presents the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by
loan category at December 31 for each of the years presented:


                                               (In Thousands)
                                          Allowance for Loan Losses
                               ----------------------------------------------
                                1998      1997      1996      1995      1994
                               ------    ------    ------    ------    ------ 
Commercial, financial,
   agricultural and real
   estate - mortgage ........ $ 7,382   $ 6,875   $ 6,681   $ 5,406   $ 4,924
Consumer ....................   1,933     1,892     1,813     1,577     1,348
Unallocated .................     305       337       815     1,832     1,911
                               ------    ------    ------    ------    ------  
Total ....................... $ 9,620   $ 9,104   $ 9,309   $ 8,815   $ 8,183
                               ======    ======    ======    ======    ======




                                                         




                                       11


Time Deposits

The  following  table  shows the  maturity  of time  deposits  over  $100,000 in
thousands.

       Less than 3 Months        $  41,765
       3 Months- 6 Months           30,179
       6 Months-12 Months           31,109
       Over 12 Months               20,862
                                  --------
                                 $ 123,915 
                                 =========

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The main  offices of the  Registrant  and its  subsidiary,  The Peoples Bank and
Trust Company, are located at 209 Troy Street, Tupelo,  Mississippi.  All floors
of the five-story  building are occupied by various departments within the Bank.
The Technology Center located in Tupelo, Mississippi, houses the electronic data
processing,  proof,  purchasing,  and statement rendering. In addition, the Bank
operated  thirty-two (32) full-service  branches,  and nine (9)  limited-service
branches.  The Bank has two (2) full-service branches in both Southaven and West
Point;  one (1)  full-service  branch and two (2)  limited-service  branches  in
Booneville;  one (1) full-service branch and one (1)  limited-service  branch in
Amory,  Corinth,  and Pontotoc;  one (1)  full-service  branch each at Aberdeen,
Batesville,  Calhoun  City,  Coffeeville,   Grenada,  Guntown,  Hernando,  Iuka,
Louisville, New Albany, Okolona, Saltillo, Sardis, Shannon, Verona, Water Valley
and Winona,  Mississippi;  one (1) limited-service  branch each at Olive Branch,
Plantersville, and Smithville,  Mississippi; and seven (7) full-service branches
and one (1) limited-service branch in Tupelo, Mississippi.

The Registrant  leases,  on a long-term  basis,  two branch locations for use in
conducting  banking  activities.  The  aggregate  annual  rental  for all leased
premises  during the year ending  December 31, 1998, did not exceed five percent
of the Bank's operating expenses.

It is  anticipated  that in the  next  several  years,  branch  renovations  and
construction will be completed at Corinth, Olive Branch, and a new location west
of Tupelo,  Mississippi.  The other  facilities owned or occupied under lease by
the Bank are considered by management to be adequate.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There were no material legal  proceedings  pending or threatened at December 31,
1998,  which in the opinion of the Company could have a material  adverse effect
upon the Company's business or financial position.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None during the fourth quarter of 1998.


                                    PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS

The information  under the captions  "Market Value of Stock by Quarters" on Page
26 of the Registrant's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein
by reference.

At March 23, 1999,  the total number of  shareholders  of the  Company's  common
stock was 2,572.

The  Registrant's  common stock trades on the American  Stock Exchange under the
symbol PHC.
                                       12


ITEM 6. SELECTED  FINANCIAL  DATA 

The information under the caption "Selected Financial Information" on Page 25 of
the  Registrant's  1998 Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated  herein by
reference.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The  information on Pages 26 through 39 of the  Registrant's  1998 Annual Report
to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information under the caption "Interest Rate Risk" on Pages 32 and 33 of the
Registrant's  1998  Annual  Report to  Shareholders  is  incorporated  herein by
reference.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The report of independent  auditors and  consolidated  financial  statements are
included  on Pages 4  through  24 of the  Registrant's  1998  Annual  Report  to
Shareholders and are incorporated herein by reference.

The  information  on  Page  23  of  the  Registrant's   1998  Annual  Report  to
Shareholders   reflecting   unaudited   quarterly   results  of   operations  is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.


                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Directors and nominees of the Registrant appear under "Election of Directors" on
Pages 3 through 5 of the Company's  definitive Proxy Statement,  dated March 22,
1999, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Information  concerning  executive officers of the Registrant and its subsidiary
appears  on Page 6 under  the  caption  "Executive  Officers"  of the  Company's
definitive Proxy Statement,  dated March 22, 1999, which is incorporated  herein
by reference.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information appearing under "Summary Compensation Table-Annual Compensation"
on Pages 7 through 11 of the Company's  definitive Proxy Statement,  dated March
22, 1999, is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT

The information appearing under "Principal Holders of Voting Security" on Page 3
of  the  Company's  definitive  Proxy  Statement,   dated  March  22,  1999,  is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information appearing under "Transactions with Management" on Page 12 of the
Company's  definitive  Proxy  Statement,  dated March 22, 1999, is  incorporated
herein by reference.

                                       13


                                    PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a) (1) and (2) and (c) The response to this portion of Item 14 is
          submitted as a separate section of this report.

         (3) Listing of Exhibits:
           (3) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of
               the Registrant are incorporated herein by
               reference to exhibits filed with the
               Registration Statement on Form S-14,
               File No. 2-21776.
                   
          (13) Annual Report to Shareholders for the
               year ended December 31, 1998
          
          (23) Consent of Independent Auditors

          (27) Financial Data Schedule 
      
      (b) No Form 8-K was filed during the quarter ended December
          31, 1998.

      (d) Financial Statement Schedules -- None.
























                                       14




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed 
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY

DATED: March 26, 1999                   By /s/ John W. Smith
- ----------------------                  -----------------------------
                                        John W. Smith, President & CEO

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on
the date indicated.

John W. Smith,
President and Director
(Chief Executive Officer) .....          /s/ John W. Smith

Robert C. Leake,
Chairman of the Board and
Director ......................          /s/ Robert C. Leake

William M. Beasley, Director ..          /s/ William M. Beasley

George H. Booth, II, Director .          /s/ George H. Booth, II

Frank B. Brooks, Director .....          /s/ Frank B. Brooks

John M. Creekmore, Director ...          /s/ John M. Creekmore

Marshall H. Dickerson, Director          /s/ Marshall H. Dickerson

A. M. Edwards, Jr., Director ..          /s/ A. M. Edwards, Jr.

Eugene B. Gifford, Jr.,
Director ......................          /s/ Eugene B. Gifford, Jr.

C. Larry Michael, Director ....          /s/ C. Larry Michael

Jimmy S. Threldkeld, Director .          /s/ Jimmy S. Threldkeld

J. Heywood Washburn, Director .          /s/ J. Heywood Washburn

Robert H. Weaver, Director ....          /s/ Robert H. Weaver

J. Larry Young, Director ......          /s/ J. Larry Young


                                       15



Form 10-K--Item 14 (a) (1) and (2)

THE PEOPLES HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The  following  consolidated  financial  statements  and  report of  independent
auditors of The Peoples  Holding  Company and subsidiary  included in the Annual
Report to  Shareholders  of the registrant for the year ended December 31, 1998,
are incorporated by reference in Item 8.

                         Report of Independent Auditors

            Consolidated Balance Sheets--December 31, 1998 and 1997

                 Consolidated Statements of Income--Years ended
                       December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996

          Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity--Years ended
                        December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--Years ended December 31,
                              1998, 1997, and 1996

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements--December 31, 1998


Schedules to the consolidated financial statements required by Article
9 of Regulation S-X are not required under the related instructions or are not
applicable and therefore, have been omitted.






















                                       16                     





Exhibit
Number          Description                               Page
- ------          -----------                               ----

13          Annual Report to Shareholders ...............  18 

23          Consent of Independent Auditors .............  58

                                 









                                       17