EXHIBIT 99.2
                                  CERTIFICATION
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                        AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C.
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

         Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, the undersigned chief financial officer
of New South Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certifies, to the best of
such officer's knowledge, that the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2002 (the "Report") fully complies with the
requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly
presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of
operations of the Company.

Dated:  August 14, 2002                      /s/ Roger D. Murphree
                                             --------------------------------
                                             Name:  Roger D. Murphree
                                             Title:   Chief Financial Officer