EXHIBIT 99

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
C. R. Butler
NS&L Bancorp, Inc.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(417) 451-0429

NS&L BANCORP, INC. FILES FORM 15 TO DEREGISTER WITH SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Neosho,  Missouri,  December  3,  2001--NS&L  Bancorp,  Inc.  (OTC BB:  NSLB.OB)
announced  today  the  filing  of a Form 15 with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"). The filing of the Form 15 will terminate registration of
the Company's  common stock under the  Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"1934 Act").

Upon the filing of the Form 15, NS&L Bancorp,  Inc. will no longer file with the
SEC certain reports and forms,  including Forms 10-KSB, 10-QSB and 8-K. When the
From 15 is deemed  effective,  which is expected within 90 days of filing,  NS&L
Bancorp,  Inc. will no longer file proxy  statements  with the SEC. In addition,
the common stock of NS&L Bancorp,  Inc. will no longer be eligible for quotation
on the OTC Bulletin Board.

According to management NS&L Bancorp, Inc. is terminating  registration in order
to reduce corporate costs associated with being a "reporting  company" under the
1934 Act. After careful consideration, the board of directors concluded that for
NS&L Bancorp,  Inc. the  advantages of being a reporting  company under the 1934
Act do not offset the costs and  administrative  burdens associated with the SEC
reporting  requirements.  In  addition,  the  Company's  common  stock  has been
extremely thinly-traded.

NS&L  Bancorp,  Inc.  is  the  holding  company  for  Neosho  Savings  and  Loan
Association, which operates two offices located in Neosho, Missouri.