EXHIBIT 24.1

Directors' Power of Attorney

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned Directors of
New South Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation, ("Company") by his execution
hereof or upon an identical counterpart hereof, does hereby constitute and
appoint Robert M. Couch, Lizabeth R. Nichols or Cheryl R. Stone, and each or any
of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and in his
name, place and stead, to execute and sign the 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K
to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant
to the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, further to execute and
sign any and all amendments to such annual Report and to file connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as undersigned
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all the acts of
said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them which they may lawfully do in
the premises and or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has hereunto set this hand and
seal this 30 day of March, 2001.

WITNESS TO ALL SIGNATURES:


     /s/Lizabeth R. Nichols              /s/ W.T. Ratliff, Jr.
- --------------------------------         ------------------------------
     Lizabeth R. Nichols                 W.T. Ratliff, Jr.

                                         /s/ J.K.V. Ratliff
                                         ------------------------------
                                         J.K.V. Ratliff


                                         /s/ William T. Ratliff, III
                                         ------------------------------
                                         William T. Ratliff, III


                                         /s/ Robert M. Couch
                                         ------------------------------
                                         Robert M. Couch


                                         /s/ David W. Whitehurst
                                         ------------------------------
                                         David W. Whitehurst