19

                          UNITED STATES
                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMSSION
                     Washington, D.C.  20549

                           FORM 10-QSB

          QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
               THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

          For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003

                 Commission file number 0-12425

                    Citizens Bancshares, Inc.
              (Exact name of small business issuer
                  as specified in its charter)

           Louisiana                        72-0759135
(State of other jurisdiction of           (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)        Identification Number)

          841 West Main Street, Ville Platte, LA  70586
            (Address of principal executive offices)

Issuer's telephone number, including area code: 337-363-5643

State  the  number of shares outstanding of each of the  issuer's
classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date:

      Class of          Number of Shares
    Common Equity          Outstanding             As of

    Common stock,            114,855           March 31, 2003
    $5 Par Value

            CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY


                                CONTENTS

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - March 31, 2003

Condensed  Consolidated  Statements of Income  and  Comprehensive
Income - Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

Condensed  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -  Three  months
ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

Note to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Item  2.   Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial
Condition and Results of Operations

Item 3.  Controls and Procedures

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

OTHER

Signature Page

Certification by Chief Executive Officer

Certification by Chief Financial Officer
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

            CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
                         MARCH 31, 2003
                    (In thousands of dollars)

ASSETS
Cash and due from banks                                $4,050
Federal funds sold                                     13,650
  Cash & cash equivalents                              17,700
Interest-bearing deposits with banks                    3,859
Securities available for sale, at fair values          50,604
Securities held to maturity                             5,380
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan
  losses of $1,289                                     67,900
Premises and equipment                                  2,649
Other assets                                            1,241
  Total assets                                       $149,333

LIABILITIES
Demand deposits                                       $16,355
Savings, NOW and money-market deposits                 23,791
Time deposits $100,000 and more                        39,068
Other time deposits                                    53,780
  Total deposits                                      132,994
Accrued expenses and other liabilities                    879
  Total liabilities                                   133,873

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock $5 par value, 300,000 shares
  authorized, 115,000 shares issued and
  Outstanding                                             575
Additional paid-in capital                                825
Treasury stock at cost, 145 shares                        (6)
Retained earnings                                      13,493
Accumulated other comprehensive income                    573
  Total shareholders' equity                           15,460
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity         $149,333
            CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
              AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
            THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 & 2002
        (In thousands of dollars, except per share data)

                                           2003        2002
Interest income
  Loans receivable                          $1,369       $1,382
  Taxable securities                           460          503
  Tax-exempt securities                         68           78
  Federal funds sold                            37           36
  Deposits with banks                           28           44
    Total interest income                    1,962        2,043

Interest expense
  Savings, NOW & money-market deposits         103          121
  Time deposit $100,000 and more               326          378
  Other time deposits                          426          540
    Total interest expense                     855        1,039

Net interest income                          1,107        1,004
Provision for loan losses                       30           20
  Net interest income after provision
    for loan losses                          1,077          984

Non-interest income
  Gain on securities called                     16            1
  Other non-interest income                    196          192
    Total non-interest income                  212          193

Non-interest expense
  Salaries and employee benefits               418          381
  Other expense                                363          330
    Total non-interest expense                 781          711

Income before income taxes                     508          466
Income tax expense                             156          138

Net income                                    $352         $328

Other comprehensive income, net of tax        (70)        (214)

Comprehensive income                          $282         $114

Basic and diluted net income per share
of common stock                              $3.06        $2.86
            CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
           THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 AND 2002
                    (In thousands of dollars)

                                           2003        2002
Cash flows from operating activities
  Net income                                  $352      $   328
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to net cash provided by operating
    activities                                 381         (14)
      Net cash provided by operating
        activities                             733          314

Cash flows from investing activities
  Maturities and calls of securities         7,880        4,662
  Purchases of securities                 (10,270)      (9,497)
  Net decrease/(increase) in interest-
    bearing deposits with banks              (396)          598
  Net (increase)/decrease in loans             126        (167)
  Purchases of premises and equipment         (58)         (15)
    Net cash (used) by investing
      activities                           (2,718)      (4,419)

Cash flows from financing activities
  Net increase in deposits                   6,675        3,376
    Net cash provided by financing
      activities                             6,675        3,376

Net increase (decrease)in cash and
  cash equivalents                           4,690        (729)
Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of year                         13,010       11,187

Cash and cash equivalents at
  end of period                            $17,700      $10,458

Income taxes paid                          $     -      $     -

Interest paid                                 $926      $ 1,237

Foreclosed real estate acquired in
  satisfaction of loans                    $     -       $    -
            CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The  interim  financial statements are prepared pursuant  to  the
requirements for reporting on Form 10-QSB. The interim  financial
statements  and notes thereto should be read in conjunction  with
the  financial  statements and notes included  in  the  Company's
latest  annual  report  on  Form  10-KSB.   In  the  opinion   of
management,   the  interim  financial  statements   reflect   all
adjustments  of a normal recurring nature necessary  for  a  fair
statement of the results for interim periods.  The current period
results  of operations are not necessarily indicative of  results
which  ultimately  will  be reported for  the  full  year  ending
December 31, 2003.

No  potential  dilutive  common stock is outstanding;  therefore,
basic and diluted net income per share are the same and are based
on net income divided by 114,855 shares outstanding.
CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL STATEMENT

For a comprehensive review of financial condition and results  of
operations  of  Citizens  Bancshares, Inc.  (the  Company),  this
discussion  and  analysis  should  be  reviewed  along  with  the
information and financial statements presented elsewhere in  this
report.   The  Company is a one-bank holding company  whose  sole
subsidiary is Citizens Bank, Ville Platte, Louisiana (the Bank).

Citizens  Bank,  Ville Platte, Louisiana is a commercial  banking
institution formed in 1975 under the banking laws of the State of
Louisiana.  The bank operates a main office located in  the  City
of Ville Platte, Louisiana and also operates branch facilities in
the  Town  of  Mamou, Louisiana and the Village of Pine  Prairie,
Louisiana.    The  Bank  offers  a  full  range  of   traditional
commercial banking services, including demand, savings, and  time
deposits,  consumer,  commercial, agriculture,  and  real  estate
loans,  safe-deposit  boxes,  two credit  card  plans,  VISA  and
MASTERCARD.   Drive-in  facilities are  located  at  all  banking
locations with ATM service at the main office and Mamou branch.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total  assets  of the Company increased by $6,966,000  or  4.89%,
from  $142,367,000 at December 31, 2002 to $149,333,000 at  March
31,  2003. The primary increase in total assets is attributed  to
the  increase  in both demand and time deposit liabilities.   The
deposit  increase is mainly due to several public  entities  that
increased  their  deposits  in  the  first  quarter  of  2003  by
approximately  $2,700,000.  Several new commercial  accounts,  as
well as existing personal accounts, make up the difference in the
increase  of  deposits.   With the funds from  this  increase  in
deposits,   the  bank  purchased  an  additional  $2,300,000   in
available  for  sale  investment securities.  The  remainder  was
placed in federal funds sold.

Earning  assets,  which  include  loans,  investment  securities,
federal  funds sold, and deposits in other banks were  94.68%  of
total assets at March 31, 2003.

The  Bank  maintains an allowance for loan losses  against  which
impaired or uncollectible loans are charged.  The balance in  the
allowance for loan losses was $1,289,000 at March 31, 2003, which
represents  1.86%  of  total  loans  outstanding  on  that  date.
Provisions to the allowance for loan losses which were charged to
net  income  for the periods ended March 31, 2003 and  2002  were
$30,000 and $20,000, respectively.

Management  has  determined that the level of the  allowance  for
loan losses should be within an acceptable range at any reporting
date.   The  allowance  is  evaluated  on  losses  and   provided
accordingly.  The  low  end of the range  is  based  on  specific
allocations  from  loans  on  the  Company's  Watch  List  (which
includes  loans  classified  at our most  recent  examination  by
regulators, loans past due 90 days or more,  loans for which  the
accrual  of  interest has been discontinued, and any other  loans
which  in  the judgment of management warrant special attention),
plus an unallocated allowance of 1% of the  loans not included on
the  Watch  List,  and an unallocated allowance  of  10%  of  the
accrued  interest  on  all  loans.   The  sum  of  these  amounts
represents the minimum required level in the allowance.

The  high  end  of  the  range is determined  by  applying  fixed
percentages  to  total  loans and accrued  interest,  less  loans
secured  by  deposits  (the "percentage base"  or  "base").   The
percentages  applied to the base are a function of the  level  of
past  due  loans.  If past due loans are less than  3%  of  total
loans, the base is multiplied by 2%; for past dues of 3 to 5%  of
total  loans, the base is multiplied by 2.25%; and for past  dues
over  5%  of  total loans, the base is multiplied by  2.5%.   The
product of this calculation represents the maximum required level
in  the  allowance.  Once the acceptable range is  determined,  a
provision for loan losses, if necessary, is recorded.

Based  on  this evaluation at March 31, 2003, management believes
that  the  $1,289,000  in  the  allowance  for  loan  losses   is
sufficient to cover potential losses in the loan portfolio.   All
available information has been used in this evaluation.  However,
future  additions  to  the allowance may be  necessary  based  on
changes  in the local economic conditions, which depends  heavily
on the agricultural industry.  In addition, individual borrower's
financial   condition  are  subject  to  change,  and  regulatory
agencies, as part of their examination process, could require the
Company  to recognize additions to the allowance based  on  their
judgment about information available to them at the time of their
examination.

No significant changes or trends occurred or are anticipated that
could   affect   the  allowance,  including   changes   in   loan
concentrations, quality, or terms or changes in the  methods  and
assumptions used in its estimate.

With interest earned on investment securities being one of the
primary sources of income, investment securities increased  by
$2,272,000 or 4.23% at March 31, 2003 as discussed above.  The
following  chart lists the percentage makeup of the  portfolio
as of March 31, 2003:

     U.S. Government Agencies           61.20%
     Mortgage-Backed Securities         26.80%
     Municipal Securities                    12.00%

As  of  March  31,  2003, securities classified  as  "held  to
maturity"  had an amortized cost/recorded value of  $5,380,000
and  a  fair  value  of $5,646,000; securities  classified  as
"available  for sale" had a fair value of $50,604,000  and  an
amortized cost of $49,736,000.

Customer  deposits  are the Bank's primary  source  of  funds.
Total deposits increased $6,675,000 or 5.28% from $126,319,000
at  December  31, 2002 to $132,994,000 at March  31,  2003  as
discussed above.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the first quarter of 2003, the Company reported net income
of  $352,000  or  $3.06 per basic and diluted net  income  per
share of common stock.  Net return on assets was 0.95% and net
return on equity was 9.42%.

Net  interest  income  is the Company's  principal  source  of
revenue  and  is  measured by the difference between  interest
income  earned  on loans and investments and interest  expense
incurred  on  deposits.  At March 31,  2003,  the  Bank's  net
interest  margin was 3.03%, a slight increase from  the  March
31,  2002  margin  of  2.97%.  Net interest  income  increased
$103,000,  or  10.26%  in  2003  to  $1,107,000  compared   to
$1,004,000  at  March 31, 2002.  The reason for such  increase
was  $81,000  or 3.96% decrease in interest income  which  was
offset by a $184,000 or 17.71% decrease in interest expense.

The average yield on loans decreased 45 basis points in quarterly
comparisons from 8.55% to 8.10% at March 31, 2003.  The  decrease
in  loan  yields  resulted primarily from the decrease  in  prime
lending  (prime)  rate during 2002.  2002's first  quarter  prime
rate was 4.75% as compared to 2003's first quarter prime rate  of
4.25%.   Although  the average loans for the first  quarter  2003
increased  by 4.51% or $2,919,000 when compared to first  quarter
2002, the impact of declining rates more than exceeded the impact
of  volume increase in the loan portfolio, resulting in a $13,000
decrease in interest income on loans.

Average  other investments, which include securities,  fed  funds
sold  and  interest bearing deposits with banks,  increased  from
$62,643,000 at March 31, 2002 to $71,000,000 at March  31,  2003.
However,  the  yield on these investments has declined  88  basis
points  from 4.22% at March 31, 2002 down to 3.34% at  March  31,
2003.   Again,  this decline is attributable to the  decrease  in
interest  rates,  and resulted in a decrease in other  investment
income of $68,000 at March 31, 2003.

An  88 basis point decrease in the average rate paid on interest-
bearing  deposits, partially offset by an average volume increase
of  $7,000,000  contributed to a $184,000  decrease  in  interest
expense  for  the  quarter ended March 31, 2003 compared  to  the
quarter ended March 31, 2002.

Non-interest  income increased by $19,000 or 9.84% due  primarily
to  an  increase in called securities for the quarter ended March
31,  2003 as compared to March 31, 2002. $16,000 in premiums were
paid  to the Bank on these called securities in the first quarter
of 2003.

Non-interest  expense  includes salaries and  employee  benefits,
occupancy and equipment expense, and other expense.  Non-interest
expense  amounted  to $781,000 at March 31, 2003,  a  $70,000  or
9.85%  increase from March 31, 2002. Of this $70,000 increase  of
non-interest expense, $32,000 is attributable to an  increase  in
employee  salaries and deferred compensation expense.   A  salary
adjustment that went into effect in the latter part of  May  2002
is reflected in the quarter ended March 31, 2003 expense.

Income  tax  expense  for the quarter ended  March  31,  2003  as
compared  to  quarter ended March 31, 2002 increased by  $18,000.
This  increase  is  directly attributable to higher  earnings  in
2003.

LIQUIDITY

The primary functions of asset/liability management are to assure
adequate  liquidity  and maintain an appropriate  spread  between
interest-earning   assets   and   interest-bearing   liabilities.
Liquidity  management  involves the ability  to  meet  cash  flow
requirements of customers who may be either depositors wanting to
withdraw  funds  or borrowers needing assurance  that  sufficient
funds  will  be  available  to meet their  credit  needs.   Major
elements  of the Bank's overall liquidity management capabilities
and  financial  resources  are (1)  core  deposits,  (2)  closely
managed  maturity structure of loans and deposits, (3)  sale  and
maturity  of  assets (primarily investment securities),  and,  if
necessary,  (4) extensions of credit which include federal  funds
purchased. Under current agreements, the Company has unused lines
of  credit with other banks which total $6,500,000.  These  lines
are  unsecured  and  have variable interest rates  based  on  the
lending bank's daily federal fund rate.   Liquidity management is
both a daily and long-term function of business management.   The
Company   uses  its  primary  liquidity  to  meet   its   ongoing
commitments, to pay maturing certificates of deposit and  deposit
withdrawals, and to fund loan commitments.  The Company's  excess
liquidity and borrowing capacity provide added readiness to  meet
ongoing  commitments and growth.  At March 31,  2003,  the  total
approved  unused  commitments   to  extend  credit  to  customers
amounted to $10,793,000.  In addition, standby letters of  credit
totaled $617,000.  The Company's certificate of deposits  with  a
remaining maturity of one year or less at March 31, 2003  totaled
$80,204,000.  Management believes that a significant  portion  of
maturing  deposits  will remain with the  Company.   The  Company
anticipates  it  will continue to have sufficient funds  together
with  available  borrowings to meet its current commitments.   At
March 31, 2003, the Bank's liquidity ratio was 51.42%.

CAPITAL ADEQUACY

Primary  capital  (shareholders' equity plus  a  portion  of  the
allowance for loan losses) as a percent of adjusted total  assets
is  one of the standard measures of capital adequacy used by bank
regulators.   This  and other measurement  ratios  serve  as  the
underlying  basis for evaluating the Bank's capital adequacy  and
for  determining  the  Bank's insurance fund  deposit  assessment
charges.  At March 31, 2003, the Bank's ratios were as follows:

             Risk Based Capital    21.80%
             Tier 1 Capital        20.54%
             Leverage Ratio         9.75%

To  be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain  a
total  risk-based capital ratio of 10% or higher,  Tier  1  risk-
based  capital ratio of 6% or higher, and leverage capital  ratio
of 5% or higher.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As discussed above under "Liquidity," the Bank's only off-balance
sheet  arrangements consist of commitments to  extend  credit  to
customers,  standby  letters  of  credit  issued  on  behalf   of
customers,  and  unused federal funds lines of  credit  that  are
available  for  borrowing.  Such arrangements are in  the  normal
course of a commercial banking business and are necessary to meet
customers' needs and provide for adequate liquidity of the Bank.
Item 3.  Controls and Procedures

Based on their evaluation conducted within 90 days of filing this
report  on  Form  10-QSB, our chief financial officer  and  chief
executive officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and
procedures  (as  defined in rule 13a-14c  promulgated  under  the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are  effective  and
designed  to alert them to material information relating  to  the
Company.

There  were  no  significant changes in  the  Company's  internal
controls  or  in  other  factors that could significantly  affect
those  controls  subsequent  of  the  date  of  our  most  recent
evaluation.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

Legal  proceedings involving the Bank are limited to  proceedings
arising  from  normal  business activities,  none  of  which  are
considered material.

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits - None.

(b)  The Company has not filed any reports on Form 8-K during the
quarter ended March 31, 2003.
                           SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the requirements 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.


CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC.



CARL W. FONTENOT
PRESIDENT & CEO



WAYNE VIDRINE
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT-TREASURER



CERTIFICATIONS*

I, Carl W. Fontenot, certify that:

1.   I  have  reviewed this quarterly report on  Form  10-QSB  of
Citizens Bancshares, Inc.;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain
any  untrue  statement of a material fact  or  omit  to  state  a
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light  of
the  circumstances  under which such statements  were  made,  not
misleading  with respect to the period covered by this  quarterly
report;

3.   Based  on my knowledge, the financial statements, and  other
financial  information included in this quarterly report,  fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results
of  operations and cash flows of the registrant as of,  and  for,
the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.    The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I  are
responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure  controls
and  procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-
14) for the registrant and we have:

a.   designed such disclosure controls and procedures  to  ensure
that  material information relating to the registrant,  including
its  consolidated subsidiaries, is made known  to  us  by  others
within  those entities, particularly during the period  in  which
this quarterly report is being prepared;

b.   evaluated  the effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to  the
filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c.   Presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based  on
our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I  have
disclosed,   based  on  our  most  recent  evaluation,   to   the
registrant's  auditors  and the audit committee  of  registrant's
board   of   directors  (or  persons  performing  the  equivalent
function):

a.   all significant deficiencies in the design or operations  of
internal  controls which could adversely affect the  registrant's
ability  to record, process, summarize and report financial  data
and  have  identified for the registrant's auditors any  material
weaknesses in internal controls; and

b.   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
or   other  employees  who  have  a  significant  role   in   the
registrant's internal controls; and

6.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I  have
indicated  in  this quarterly report whether or  not  there  were
significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that
could  significantly affect internal controls subsequent  to  the
date  of  our  most recent evaluation, including  any  corrective
actions  with  regard  to significant deficiencies  and  material
weaknesses.

Date: May 12, 2003


__________________________
CARL W. FONTENOT
PRESIDENT/CEO

CERTIFICATIONS*

I, Wayne Vidrine, certify that:

1.   I  have  reviewed this quarterly report on  Form  10-QSB  of
Citizens Bancshares, Inc.;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain
any  untrue  statement of a material fact  or  omit  to  state  a
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light  of
the  circumstances  under which such statements  were  made,  not
misleading  with respect to the period covered by this  quarterly
report;

3.   Based  on my knowledge, the financial statements, and  other
financial  information included in this quarterly report,  fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results
of  operations and cash flows of the registrant as of,  and  for,
the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.    The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I  are
responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure  controls
and  procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-
14) for the registrant and we have:

a.   designed such disclosure controls and procedures  to  ensure
that  material information relating to the registrant,  including
its  consolidated subsidiaries, is made known  to  us  by  others
within  those entities, particularly during the period  in  which
this quarterly report is being prepared;

b.   evaluated  the effectiveness of the registrant's  disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to  the
filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c.   Presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based  on
our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I  have
disclosed,   based  on  our  most  recent  evaluation,   to   the
registrant's  auditors  and the audit committee  of  registrant's
board   of   directors  (or  persons  performing  the  equivalent
function):

a.   all significant deficiencies in the design or operations  of
internal  controls which could adversely affect the  registrant's
ability  to record, process, summarize and report financial  data
and  have  identified for the registrant's auditors any  material
weaknesses in internal controls; and

b.   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
or   other  employees  who  have  a  significant  role   in   the
registrant's internal controls; and

6.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and  I  have
indicated  in  this quarterly report whether or  not  there  were
significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that
could  significantly affect internal controls subsequent  to  the
date  of  our  most recent evaluation, including  any  corrective
actions  with  regard  to significant deficiencies  and  material
weaknesses.

Date: May 12, 2003


__________________________
WAYNE VIDRINE
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT-TREASURER