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                                                                   EXHIBIT 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                         NS&L BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES
                          MOVE TO OTC-BULLETIN BOARD


      Neosho,  Missouri  (February  8,  2001)  --  NS&L  Bancorp,  Inc.  (Nasdaq
SmallCap:  NSLB),  today  announced  that its common stock will be quoted on the
OTC-Bulletin  Board beginning on February 15, 2001. The Company's listing on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market will terminate on the opening of business that same day.

      The  Company  received a Nasdaq  staff  determination  on February 7, 2001
indicating  that the  Company  fails to comply  with the  minimum  public  float
requirement for continued  listing set forth in Markeplace Rule 4310(c)(7),  and
that its  securities  are,  therefore,  subject  to  delisting  from the  Nasdaq
SmallCap Market.  The Company has decided not to request a hearing to review the
staff determination.

      "With the small number of our shares held by the public, we no longer meet
the criteria for continued  listing on the SmallCap Market," stated C.R. Butler,
Chief Executive  Officer and President of the Company.  "Considering that quotes
will continue to be available for our stock and the Company will save the annual
Nasdaq  listing  fee,  the Board of Directors  found  termination  of our Nasdaq
listing to be in the best interests of stockholders."

      NS&L Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Neosho Savings and Loan
Association, F.A., which conducts operations in Neosho, Missouri.


Contact:    C.R. Butler
            President and Chief Executive Officer
            (417)  451-0429