<PAGE 1> As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 1994 Registration No. 33-20587 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 INITIALLY FILED ON A FORM S-2 REGISTRATION STATEMENT FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter) TENNESSEE 62-1180360 (State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation or organization) Identification No.) P. O. Box 370, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024 (901) 285-4410 (Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices) Judy Long Secretary First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. P. O. 370 Dyersburg, TN 38025-0370 (901) 285-4410 (Name, address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) Copy to: Ann W. Langston Gerrish & McCreary 700 Colonial, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38117 (901) 767-0900 <PAGE 2> Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as possible after the effective date of this Amendment. If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. X If the registrant elects to deliver its latest annual report to security holders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item 11(a)(1) of this form, check the following box. X. The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine. Exhibit Index on Sequential Page Number 29 <PAGE 3> CROSS REFERENCE SHEET (Pursuant to Item 501(b) of Regulation S-K showing the location in the Prospectus of the information required by Form S-3.) Item No. and Caption Heading in Prospectus 1. Forepart of the Registration Facing Page, Cross Statement and Outside Front Reference Sheet, Cover Page of Prospectus........... Outside Front Cover 2. Inside Front and Outside Inside Front Cover; Back Cover Pages of Prospectus..... Outside Back Cover 3. Summary Information, Risk Factors and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges................... * 4. Use of Proceeds.................... Use of Proceeds 5. Determination of Offering Price.... Purchases 6. Dilution........................... * 7. Selling Security Holders........... * 8. Plan of Distribution............... Purpose 9. Description of Securities Description of Common to be Registered................... Stock 10. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel........................ Experts 11. Material Changes................... * 12. Incorporation of Certain Incorporation of Information by Reference........... Certain Documents by Reference 13. Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities..... * *Omitted since item is not applicable or answer is negative. <PAGE 4> FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN 50,000 shares of Common Stock $1.00 par value TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC.: We are pleased to provide you this Prospectus describing the First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan") for the shareholders of First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. The Plan offers our shareholders the opportunity to automatically reinvest the cash dividends from all or a portion of your First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. Common Stock and additional cash in the purchase of additional shares of the Common Stock. No brokerage commissions, fees or service charges will be paid by shareholders participating in the Plan for purchases made under the Plan. Effective with the September 15, 1991 dividend, participating shareholders purchasing common stock with reinvested cash dividends will receive a 5% discount from the market price or the calculated market value of the common stock. This Plan was initially adopted by First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. during 1988. Shareholders who have previously joined in the Plan do not need to enroll again. Dividends will be reinvested on a quarterly basis as paid. Shares may also be purchased with optional cash payments made to the Plan at any time. The optional cash payments may not be less than $100 per payment or more than $5,000 per calendar quarter. If you have not previously enrolled in the Plan, you may do so by completing the enclosed Authorization Form and returning it to First Citizens National Bank, the Plan Administrator. Shareholders enrolled in the Plan will continue in the Plan unless they notify the Plan Administra- tor in writing that they wish to withdraw from participation. If you do not wish to participate in the Plan, you do not need to take any action. You will continue to receive your dividends, if and when declared, by check. <PAGE 5> Additional information about the Plan is provided in question and answer form in this Prospectus. Should additional questions arise, please contact us. Sincerely, Stallings Lipford Chairman and CEO This Prospectus relates to 50,000 shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, of the Company registered for sale under the Plan. It is recommended that this Prospectus be retained for future reference. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS DECEMBER 1, 1994 <PAGE 6> TABLE OF CONTENTS Page AVAILABLE INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . 1 DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 PURPOSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ADVANTAGES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 PARTICIPATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 COSTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 PURCHASES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 DIVIDENDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 DISCONTINUATION OF DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES IN PLAN ACCOUNTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 OTHER INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 USE OF PROCEEDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 EXPERTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 <PAGE 7> AVAILABLE INFORMATION First Citizens Bancshares, Inc.'s principal offices are located at Court and Mill Streets, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38025-0370 and its telephone number is (901) 285-4410. The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith files reports, including proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). These reports and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549, and at certain regional offices of the Commission located at 75 Park Place, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10007; and 500 W. Madison, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60606. Copies of such material may also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, Washington, DC 20549, at prescribed rates. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents of the Company filed with the Commission are hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and made a part hereof: 1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993; 2. Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1994; 3. All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termina- tion of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by referenced into this Prospectus. This Prospectus incorporates documents by reference which are not contained herein or delivered herewith. The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this Prospectus has been delivered upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated into this Prospectus and deemed to be part hereof, other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference. These documents are available upon request from Judy Long, Secretary, First Citizens Bancshares Inc., P. O. Box 370, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38025-0370, telephone (901) 285-4410. <PAGE 8> DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN DESCRIPTION The provisions of the First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan") are discussed in question and answer form below. Holders of First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") Common Stock (the "Common Stock") who do not wish to participate in the Plan will continue to receive cash dividends, if and when declared, by check, as in the past. Shareholders who do wish to participate in the Plan will need to provide the Company an Authorization Form as discussed below. This Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan was adopted by the Company in 1988 and previously announced to the shareholders of the Company, via a Prospectus dated August 4, 1988. Effective with the September 15, 1991 dividend shareholders may purchase the Company's Common Stock with reinvested cash dividends (as opposed to optional cash payments) at 95% of the average market price or calculated market value (see 11 below). SHAREHOLDERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY JOINED IN THE PLAN DO NOT NEED TO JOIN AGAIN. PURPOSE 1. What is the purpose of the Plan? The purpose of the Plan is to provide owners of the Company's Common Stock with a convenient way to invest cash dividends and optional cash payments in shares of Common Stock without any deduction for brokerage commissions, service charges or other expenses. In addition, shares purchased with reinvested cash dividends (as differentiated from shares purchased with optional cash payments), will be acquired by Participants at a price equal to 95% of the market price or the calculated market value (see number 11 below). The Plan provides that the Company may make purchases of shares of Common Stock in the open market for the accounts of participants. If sufficient shares are not available for purchase in the open market, the Plan provides that the Company may decide to sell treasury shares and/or original issue shares of the Common Stock to participants, whereby the Company would receive additional funds for general corporate purposes. <PAGE 9> ADVANTAGES 2. What are the advantages of the Plan? The participants in the Plan may: . Invest dividends on all or less than all shares of the Company's Common Stock registered in their names automatically without specifically having to take action at each dividend payment date. . Invest cash dividends at a 5% discount from the market price or the calculated market value of the common stock. . Invest additional cash within set limits in the Company's Common Stock. . Invest the full amount of dividends since the Plan permits fractional interests in the shares of Common Stock held in the Plan. . The individual shareholders will not incur any brokerage fees and commissions for purchases under the Plan. . Avoid cumbersome safekeeping requirements and recordkeeping costs through the free holding and keeping of securities by the Company, and reporting provisions of the Plan. PARTICIPATION 3. Who is eligible to participate? All holders of the Company's Common Stock are eligible to participate in the Plan. Shareholders who wish to participate with respect to less than all of their shares may do so by entering the number of shares as to which they wish to participate on the Authorization Form. 4. How does an eligible shareholder become a participant? An eligible shareholder may join in the Plan by signing the Authorization Form and returning it to the Plan Administrator. SHAREHOLDERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY JOINED IN THE PLAN DO NOT NEED TO COMPLETE THE AUTHORIZA- TION FORM. A postage-paid envelope is provided for this purpose. An Authorization Form is enclosed with this Prospectus and additional forms may be obtained at any time by written request to Judy Burns, First Citizens National Bank, P. O. Box 370, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38025-0370. <PAGE 10> 5. When may a shareholder join the Plan? An eligible shareholder may join the Plan at any time. If an Authorization Form specifying reinvestment of dividends is received by the Plan Administrator five (5) days before the record date is established for payment of a particular dividend, reinvestment will commence with that dividend payment. If the Authorization Form is received after that date, the reinvestment of dividends through the Plan will begin with the next succeeding dividend. Dividend payment dates for the Company's Common Stock currently are March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15. The Dividend Record Date for determining shareholders who receive dividends normally precedes the Dividend Payment Date by thirty (30) days. 6. What does the Authorization Form provide? The Authorization Form allows the shareholder to indicate whether or not and the extent to which he or she desires to participate in the Plan, by checking the appropriate boxes. It allows the shareholder to indicate whether he or she wishes to reinvest dividends paid on all or some portion of the shares of the Company's Common Stock registered in the Participant's name and/or to purchase additional shares of the Common Stock with optional cash payments. Dividends on all Shares of Common Stock purchased for each partici- pant's account under the Plan whether by dividend reinvestment or optional cash payments, will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock. 7. What additional steps must a participant take in order to invest dividends received with respect to less than all of the shares of Common Stock held in his or her name? In order to facilitate the recordkeeping required by the Plan, shareholders wishing to invest only part of the dividends they receive may be required to deliver the certificates representing shares to the Plan Administrator. Separate certificates would then be issued; one certificate for those shares on which the dividends are to be invested pursuant to the Plan and a second certificate for those shares on which the shareholder will continue to receive dividends directly in cash. Participants will be notified if it becomes necessary to implement this procedure. 8. May a participant change the amount of participation after enrollment? If a participant elects to participate through the reinvestment of dividends on all shares registered in the Participant's name but later decides to participate with <PAGE 11> respect to only a portion of the shares registered in the particip- ant's name or to participate in only the optional cash payment feature, the participant must notify the Plan Administrator in writing to that effect, but such notification must be received no later than fifteen (15) days before a particular Dividend Record Date in order to stop the full reinvestment of the corresponding dividend. If a participant elects to participate only in the optional cash payment feature but decides at a later time to participate in the dividend reinvestment feature, an additional Authorization Form must be signed and returned to the Plan Administrator. (See numbers 7 above and 21 below). 9. Who administers the Plan for participants? First Citizens National Bank (the "Plan Administrator") administers the Plan for participants, arranges for the custody of share certificates, keeps records, sends statements of account to participants and performs other duties relating to the Plan. Shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan will be held by the Plan Administrator and registered in the name of a nominee as agent for the participants in the Plan. COSTS 10. Are there any expenses to the participants in connection with purchases under the Plan? No. The brokerage commissions or service charges will be paid by the Company. In addition, all costs of administration of the Plan will be paid by the Company. PURCHASES 11. What will be the price of shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan? If shares are purchased through the Plan in the market, the purchases will be made at prevailing market prices and the price to each Participant's account will be based upon the average price of all shares of Common Stock so purchased. The price to each participant's account purchasing such common shares with reinvested cash dividends will be 95% of the average price of all shares so purchased. The price to each participant's account purchasing such shares with optional cash payments will be 100% of the average price of all shares so purchased. (See number 15 below). If treasury shares and/or original issue shares are purchased through the Plan from the Company, the price per share at which the shares of the Company's Common Stock will be purchased will be the calculated market value determined by <PAGE 12> calculating the average price paid per share in all current market trades known to the Company during the ninety (90) days immediately preceding the date of purchase of shares from the Company through the Plan; however, in no event will the Company sell shares to the Plan at a price less than the book value of the Company's Common Stock as of the end of the last month preceding the anticipated sale. (Book value per share of the Company's Common Stock will be calculated by dividing the total of all equity accounts by the total shares of Common Stock outstanding). The price to each participant's account purchasing such common shares with reinvested cash dividends will be 95% of the calculated market value as determined by the formula described above. The price to each Participant's account purchasing such shares with optional cash payments will be 100% of the calculated market value as determined by the formula described above. Only the shares that may be sold by the Company to participants under the Plan are the subject of this Prospectus. 12. How many shares of Common Stock will be purchased for participants? If you become a participant in the Plan, the number of shares to be purchased depends on the amount of your dividends, optional cash payments, or both, and the prevailing market price or the calculated market value, as applicable, of the Common Stock. Your account will be credited with that number of shares, including fractions computed to four (4) decimal places, equal to the total amount invested, divided by the average purchase price per share paid for all shares purchased for the Plan resulting from a specific dividend on the Company's Common Stock. 13. How many shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan will be original issue shares? The dividends to be reinvested and the optional cash payments of participants will first purchase shares of Common Stock available in the open market. If an insufficient amount or no shares of the Common Stock are available in the open market, the Company then plans to sell as many original issue shares of its Common Stock as the dividends to be reinvested and the optional cash payments of participants will purchase. The Common Stock is not actively traded on any market and it is not anticipated that a market will develop that will make the necessary shares available for purchases in the market. 14. If the Company elects to sell original issue shares to participants, when will shares of Common Stock be purchased under the Plan? On the first business day of each month (the "Purchase Date"), any optional cash payment which has been <PAGE 13> received from a participant prior to that date will be applied to the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock. Cash dividends on shares of Common Stock will be applied to the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock on Dividend Payment Dates. Participants will become owners of the shares purchased for them under the Plan at the Purchase Date on which such shares are purchased; however, for federal income tax purposes the holding period will commence on the following day. 15. If the Company elects to make market purchases for the Plan, when will shares of Common Stock be purchased? Shares will usually be purchased in the market within ten (10) business days of the Purchase Date, subject to availability of shares in the market and to applicable regulatory restrictions on such purchases. Participants will become owners of shares purchased for their account under the Plan upon settlement of such purchases. 16. Will certificates be issued for shares of Common Stock under the Plan? Unless requested by a participant, certificates for shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan will not be issued. All shares purchased will be held by a nominee of and for the benefit of Plan participants. The number of shares purchased for each participant's account under the Plan will be shown on a statement of account. This feature protects against loss, theft or destruction of stock certificates. Certificates for any number of full shares credited to each partici- pant's account under the Plan will be issued without charge upon each participant's written request. (See number 22 below for instructions on certificate issuance). If a participant remains in the Plan, any remaining full shares and fractional interests will continue to be credited to each participant's account. The shares credited to the account of a participant under the Plan may not be pledged as collateral security for a loan or other obligation of a participant. A participant who wishes to pledge such shares must request that certificates for such shares be issued in the partici- pant's name. Certificates representing fractional interest will not be issued under any circumstances. 17. Who will be eligible to make optional cash payments? Shareholders who have returned a signed Authorization Form to the Company will be eligible to make optional cash payments at any time. The Company will utilize any optional cash payment received from a participant five (5) days before a Purchase <PAGE 14> Date for the purchase on the following Purchase Date of shares of Common Stock for the account of the participant. If a participant elects to make optional cash payments and not reinvest dividends on Common Stock, any optional cash payments received from a participant will be applied to the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock for the participant's account under the Plan. If an optional cash payment is received less than five (5) days before the next Purchase Date, the cash payment will be invested at the next succeeding Purchase Date. An initial optional cash payment may be made by a participant at the time he or she enrolls in the Plan by enclosing a check or money order with the Authorization Form. The checks or money orders should be made payable to "First Citizens National Bank, First Citizens DRP Administrator" and returned with the Authorization Form in the envelope provided. Subsequent optional cash payments may be made at any time by delivering them to First Citizens National Bank, Court and Mill Streets, P. O. Box 370, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38025-0370. Par- ticipants should include their Plan account number on the check or money order and any correspondence regarding the Plan. Optional cash payments may be made at any time, but the Company urges participants to send such payments in order that they will be received at least ten (10) days before a Purchase Date. No interest will be paid on optional cash payments. A participant may obtain a refund of an optional cash payment at any time prior to five (5) days before it is invested. 18. What are the limitations on optional cash payment amounts? Optional cash payments may be made at any time, and such payments do not need to be in the same amount each month or quarter and participants are not obligated to make an optional cash payment in any month or quarter. Optional cash payments must not be less than $100 per payment nor more than $5,000 in any calendar quarter. REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS 19. What kind of reports will be sent to participants in the Plan? As soon as practical after each purchase each participant will receive a statement of account showing the total number of shares held in his account, the amount of dividends received on the shares held in his account, the amount invested on his behalf, the number of shares purchased, the price per share and the date of acquisition of the shares. In addition, each <PAGE 15> participant will continue to receive copies of the Company's annual and other periodic reports to shareholders, proxy statements and information for income tax reporting purposes. DIVIDENDS 20. Will participants be credited with dividends on shares held in their accounts under the Plan? Yes. The Plan Administrator will receive dividends for all shares held in the Plan on the Dividend Record Date, and will credit such dividends to participants' accounts on the basis of full shares and fractional interests credited to those accounts. Such dividends will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, credited on the payable date of dividend. DISCONTINUATION OF DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT 21. How does a participant discontinue the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan? A participant may discontinue the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan on all or part of the shares with respect to which he or she originally elected to participate in the Plan by notifying the Plan Administrator in writing to that effect. To be effective for any given Dividend Payment Date, notice of withdrawal must be received fifteen (15) days before the Dividend Record Date. Any notice of withdrawal received less than fifteen (15) days prior to a Dividend Record Date will not be effective until dividends paid for such record date have been reinvested and the shares credited to the participant's Plan account. Participant's who decide to discontinue participation have the options of: (i) complete or partial withdrawal from the automatic dividend reinvestment feature with continuation in the optional cash payment feature; (ii) partial withdrawal from the automatic dividend reinvestment feature without continuing to participate in the optional cash payment features; or (iii) complete withdrawal from the Plan. If a participant withdraws from the automatic dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan but does not withdraw from the optional cash payment feature, dividends on shares held in the participant's account will continue to be reinvested until the participant withdraws from both the automatic dividend reinvestment and the optional cash payment features of the Plan. <PAGE 16> WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES IN PLAN ACCOUNTS 22. How may a participant withdraw shares purchased under the Plan? A shareholder who has purchased shares of the Company's Common Stock under the Plan may withdraw all or a portion of such shares from his Plan account by notifying the Plan Administrator in writing to that effect and specifying in the notice the number of shares to be withdrawn. This notice should be mailed to: First Citizens National Bank P. O. Box 370 Dyersburg, TN 38025-0370 Attention: Trust Operations Officer Certificates for whole shares of Common Stock so withdrawn will be registered in the name of and issued to the Participant. In no case will certificates representing fractional interests be issued. Any notice of withdrawal received less than fifteen (15) days prior to a Dividend Record Date will not be effective until dividends paid for such record date have been reinvested and the shares credited to the participant's Plan account. 23. What happens to any fractional interest when a participant withdraws all shares from the Plan? In lieu of a certificate for any fractional interest, a participant will receive cash in an amount equal to the last average per share purchase price of Common Stock purchased for the Plan on the latest Purchase Date prior to the effective date of the withdrawal multiplied by the fractional interest. The amount of cash for any fractional interest together with certificates for whole shares will be mailed directly to the withdrawing participant by the Plan Administrator. 24. How may a participant transfer shares held in his account under the Plan? A participant who wishes to transfer his shares held in his account under the Plan must first withdraw those shares from the Plan, following the procedure set out in number 22 above. Upon receipt of certificates for such shares, the participant may transfer such shares exactly as he or she would any other securities. 25. What happens when a participant who is reinvesting the cash dividends on all or part of shares registered in the participant's name sells or transfers a portion of such shares? If a participant who has reinvested the cash dividends on all or part of the shares of Common Stock in his or her name disposes of a portion of those shares with respect to which he or she is participating in the Plan, the Company will continue to reinvest the dividends on the remainder of such shares. <PAGE 17> If a participant disposes of all shares of the Company's Common Stock registered in his or her name, the Plan Administrator will, unless the participant also withdraws all shares in his or her account under the Plan, continue to reinvest the dividends on the shares held in his or her Plan account. OTHER INFORMATION 26. What happens if the Company has a Common Stock rights offering, issues a stock dividend or declares a stock split? Participation in any rights offering will be based upon both the shares registered in a participant's name and the shares (including fractional interests) credited to a participant's Plan account. Any stock dividend or shares resulting from stock splits with respect to full shares and fractional interests credited to a participant's account will be credited to such account. 27. How will a participant's Plan shares be voted at a meeting of shareholders? All shares of Common Stock credited to a participant's account under the Plan will be voted as the participant directs. If on the record date for a meeting of shareholders there are shares credited to the participant's account under the Plan, the participant will be sent the proxy material for such meeting. When the partici- pant returns in a timely fashion an executed proxy it will be voted in respect to all shares credited to the participant. All such shares may be voted in person at the Shareholders' Meeting. 28. What are the Federal Income Tax consequences of participation in the Plan? To the extent distributions by the Company to its shareholders are treated as made from the Company's earnings and profits the distributions will be dividends taxable as ordinary income. The Company has sufficient earnings and profits that participants can expect that the full amount of any distribution under the Plan will be taxable as dividends. The full amount of dividends reinvested will, in the case of corporate shareholders, be eligible for the 80 percent dividends received deduction available under the Internal Revenue Code. In the case of foreign or other shareholders, whose taxable income under the Plan is subject to federal income tax withholding, the Company will make the reinvestments net of the amount of tax required to be withheld. Regular statements of accounts confirming purchases made for such participants will indicate the amount of tax withheld. <PAGE 18> The basis, for federal income tax purposes, of any shares acquired through the Plan will be their fair market value for tax purposes as of the Purchase Date. The holding period for shares acquired through the Plan will begin on the day after the Purchase Date. No ruling of any sort has been obtained from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the Plan. Participants should consult their own tax advisors for further information with regard to the tax consequences of participation in the Plan. 29. What is the responsibility of the Plan Administrator? First Citizens National Bank is the Plan Administrator. All communications regarding the Plan should be addressed to First Citizens National Bank, P. O. Box 370, Dyersburg, Tennessee, 38025-0370, Attention: Judy Burns. The telephone number of the Plan Administrator is (901) 285-4410. The Plan Administrator receives the participant's dividend payments and optional cash payment, invests such amounts in additional shares of the Company's Common Stock, maintains continuing records of each participant's account, and advises participants as to all transactions in and the status of their accounts. The Plan Administrator acts in the capacity of agent for the participants. All notices from the Plan Administrator to a participant will be addressed to the participant at his last address of record with the Plan Administrator. The mailing of a notice to the participant's last address of record will satisfy the Plan Administrator's duty of giving notice to such participant. Therefore, participants must promptly notify the Plan Administrator in writing of any change of address. Neither the Plan Administrator, participants' nominee or nominees nor the Company shall have any liability for actions taken or omitted ingood faith pursuant to the Plan, including, without limitation, any claim for liability arising out of failure to terminate a participant's account upon such participant's death or adjudicated incompetency prior to receipt of notice in writing of such death or adjudicated incompe- tency, nor shall they have any duties, responsibilities or liabilities except as are expressly set forth in the Plan. The participant should recognize that neither the Company nor the Plan Administrator can provide any assurance that shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan, will, at any particular time, be worth more or less than their purchase price. All transactions in connection with the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee. <PAGE 19> 30. When will the Plan become effective and may it be changed or discontinued? The Plan became effective for the dividend paid on December 15, 1988 and for subsequent dividends until such time as the Plan is suspended or terminated by the Company. While the Company currently expects to continue a Dividend Reinvest- ment Plan indefinitely, the Company reserves the right to suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. It also reserves the right to modify and interpret the Plan. Participants will be notified of any such suspension, termination or any modification which materially affects their rights under the Plan. USE OF PROCEEDS The net proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plan will be used for the Company's general corporate purposes, including investment in, extensions of credit or advances to the Company's banking and non-banking subsidiaries. DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK The Company is authorized to issue 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $1 per share. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share and have no preemptive rights to purchase any securities issued by the Company. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Company, the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock are entitled to share pro rata according to their respective interests in the Company's assets and funds remaining after payment or provision for payment of all debts and other liabilities of the Company. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1993, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, incorporated herein by reference, have been incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Carmichael, Enoch & Associates, independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein and upon the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby has been passed upon for the Company by Gerrish & McCreary, P.C., Attorneys, 700 Colonial, Suite 200, Memphis, Tennessee 38117. <PAGE 20> INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS The Tennessee Business Corporation Act (the "Act") provides financial protection by the corporation for its directors, officers and employees against liabilities and expenses (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by them in proceedings arising out of their position with the corporation. Under the Act's permissive indemnification provisions, a corporation has the authority to indemnify a director against liability incurred in a proceeding if the director conducted himself in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the corporation's best interests. In the case of criminal proceedings, the director must have no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Permissive indemnification is allowed even if the director is not wholly successful in the proceeding. Indemnification is, however, prohibited in derivative actions in which the director is adjudged liable and in situations in which the director is found liable on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received by him. The Act also provides that unless limited by its charter, a corporation must indemnify a director who is a wholly successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of a proceeding against reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding. In addition to providing indemnification for liabilities for which the director is held liable, the Act also provides that a corporation may advance expenses incurred by a director if the director can furnish a written statement of his good faith belief that he acted in an appropriate manner and undertakes to repay the amount advanced if it is ultimately determined that he was not entitled to indemnification. The Act contains provisions extending indemnification to officers, employees and agents of the corporation. The Act states that a corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee or agent who is not a director to the extent consistent with public policy, that may be provided by its charter, bylaws, general or specific action of its board of directors or contract. The Company's Charter and Bylaws provide for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent allowed for by Tennessee law. The directors and officers of the Registrant are covered by an insurance policy in the amount of $2,500,000, by Kansas Bankers Surety Co. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the provisions in the Bylaws, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable. <PAGE 21> NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, CERTAIN PORTIONS OF WHICH HAVE BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSION, AND TO WHICH PORTIONS REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPANY AND THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY. THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT MAY BE INSPECTED WITHOUT CHARGE AT THE OFFICES OF THE COMMISSION, 450 FIFTH STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20549, AND COPIES OF ALL OR ANY PART OF IT MAY BE OBTAINED PROM THE COMMISSION UPON PAYMENT OF THE PRESCRIBED FEES. <PAGE 22> AUTHORIZATION FORM (FRONT) Addressed to: Shareholders of First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. By signing the authorization on the other side of this form and returning it to us, you may participate in the First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan as described in the accompanying Prospectus. You may elect by checking the appropriate box or boxes to reinvest all or some portion of the cash dividends on your shares of Common Stock in more shares of Common Stock of the Company or make optional cash payments to purchase additional shares, or both. [ ] I wish to reinvest my cash dividends on all my shares of Common Stock. [ ] I wish to reinvest my cash dividends on ____ of my shares of Common Stock. [ ] I wish to make optional cash payments and enclose my check for my initial voluntary cash payment of $_______. (THIS IS NOT A PROXY. PLEASE SIGN THE AUTHORIZATION FORM ON REVERSE SIDE.) <PAGE 23> AUTHORIZATION FORM (BACK) AUTHORIZATION (Taxpayer ID No., if any) TO: FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. and FIRST CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK AS PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, OR ITS DULY APPOINTED SUCCESSOR: Upon my election to reinvest all or some portion of my cash dividends, I hereby authorize and direct First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") to pay to First Citizens National Bank (the "Plan Administrator") for my account cash dividends payable to me on Common Stock of the Company registered in my name. I hereby appoint the Plan Administrator, or its duly appointed successor, as my agent subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan Description (a copy of which I have received and read). I hereby authorize it, to the extent I have indicated on the reverse side or may properly indicate hereafter, to take all acts necessary to apply cash dividends payable on shares of Common Stock of the Company registered in my name and/or my voluntary cash payments made in accordance with the Plan to the purchase of full and fractional shares of Common Stock of the Company. In the event that the certificates representing shares purchased by me are held by the Plan Administrator or its nominee, I hereby authorize the Plan Administrator or its nominee to merge such certificates into one or more certificates of larger denominations. This authorization and appointment is given with the understanding that I may terminate it at any time by notifying the Plan Administrator in writing at least fifteen (15) days before the record date of any dividend payment. PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S) APPEARS ON YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATE. THIS AUTHORIZATION IS INVALID UNLESS SIGNED BY ALL PERSONS WHOSE NAMES APPEAR ON YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATE. Date: _________________19__. <PAGE 24> PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution The expenses incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereon are: Filing Fee......................... $ 510.00 *Blue Sky Fees and Expenses........ 500.00 *Accounting Fees and Expenses...... 500.00 *Legal Fees and Expenses........... 10,000.00 *Printing.......................... 1,300.00 *Miscellaneous..................... 500.00 Total......................... $13,310.00 *Estimated Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers The Tennessee Business Corporation Act (the "Act") provides financial protection by the corporation for its directors, officers and employees against liabilities and expenses (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by them in proceedings arising out of their position with the corporation. Under the Act's permissive indemnification provisions, a corporation has the authority to indemnify a director against liability incurred in a proceeding if the director conducted himself in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the corporation's best interests. In the case of criminal proceedings, the director must have no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Permissive indemnification is allowed even if the director is not wholly successful in the proceeding. Indemnification is, however, prohibited in derivative actions in which the director is adjudged liable and in situations in which the director is found liable on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received by him. The Act also provides that unless limited by its charter, a corporation must indemnify a director who is a wholly successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of a proceeding against reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding. In addition to providing indemnification for liabilities for which the director is held liable, the Act also provides that a corporation may advance expenses incurred by a director if the director can furnish a written statement of his good faith belief that he acted in an appropriate manner and undertakes to repay the amount advanced if it is ultimately determined that he was not entitled to indemnification. <PAGE 25> The Act contains provisions extending indemnification to officers, employees and agents of the corporation. The Act states that a corporation may also indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee or agent who is not a director to the extent consistent with public policy, that may be provided by its charter, bylaws, general or specific action of its board of directors or contract. The Company's Charter and Bylaws provide for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent allowed for by Tennessee law. The directors and officers of the Registrant are covered by an insurance policy in the amount of $1,000,000, by The National Union Fire Insurance Company. Item 16. Exhibits Exhibit Number Exhibit Description 5* Opinion re legality 13** Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993; Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1994 24(a) Consent of accountant 24(b)* Consent of counsel (included in Exhibit 5) 25 Power of Attorney * Previously filed as Exhibits with this Registration Statement. ** Incorporated by reference. Item 17. Undertakings The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: 1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (a) to include any prospectus required by Section 10 (a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (b) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement <PAGE 26> (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; (c) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; 2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. 4. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by refer- ence in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. To deliver or cause to be delivered with the Prospectus, to each person to whom the Prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the Prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the Prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to provide such interim financial information. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than <PAGE 27> the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. <PAGE 28> SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dyersburg, State of Tennessee on November 16, 1994. FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. By /s/ Stallings Lipford Chairman of the Board, CEO and Director <PAGE 29> INDEX TO EXHIBITS Sequentially Exhibit Numbered Number Exhibit Page 5* Opinion re legality 13** Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1994 24(a) Consent of accountant 31 24(b)* Consent of counsel (included in Exhibit 5) 25 Power of Attorney 33 * Previously filed ** Incorporated by reference <PAGE 30> Exhibit 24(a) <PAGE 31> ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT We consent to the use in the Post-effective Amendment No. 3 of the Registration Statement on Form S-3, initially filed on a Form S-2 Registration Statement of First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. of our reports dated January 25, 1994, accompanying the financial statements and schedules of First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. contained in such Registration Statement and to the use of our name and the reference made to us as experts in the Registration Statement. Dyersburg, Tennessee Carmichael, Enoch & Associates November 14, 1994 /s/ <PAGE 32> Exhibit 25 <PAGE 33> POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Stallings Lipford and/or Katie Winchester his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full powers of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead in any and all capacities, to sign this Registration Statement and any and all amendments to the same, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission granting said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registra- tion statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated: Signature Capacity Date /s/ Chairman of the Board, Stallings Lipford (Principal Executive and Financial Officer) and Director /s/ Director Eddie Eugene Anderson /s/ Director J. Walter Bradshaw /s/ Director James Daniel Carpenter /s/ Director James H. Carver /s/ Director William C. Cloar /s/ Director Richard W. Donner /s/ Director John E. Heckethorn /s/ Director E. H. Lannom, Jr. <PAGE 34> /s/ Director Milton E. Magee /s/ Director Mary Frances McCauley /s/ Director L. D. Pennington /s/ Director G. W. Smitheal, III /s/ Director H. P. Tigrett, Jr. /s/ Director P. H. White, Jr. /s/ Director D. Steven Williams /s/ President and Director Katie Sue Winchester /s/ Director Billy S. Yates