Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                            CONTACT:   Dwayne Powell, CEO
                                                                   870-802-1700

           POCAHONTAS BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS

Jonesboro,  Arkansas, May 15, 2006-- Pocahontas Bancorp, Inc.  (Nasdaq-NMS:PFSL)
announced  earnings for the second  quarter of the fiscal year ending  September
30, 2006.

Basic and diluted  earnings per share were $0.14 for the quarter ended March 31,
2006  compared to basic  earnings  per share of $0.10 and diluted  earnings  per
share of $0.09 for the same period last year.  Net income was $0.63  million for
the quarter  ended March 31, 2006,  compared to net income of $0.43  million for
the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

Net interest  income before  provision for loan loss for the quarter ended March
31, 2006 was $3.89 million compared to $4.16 million for the quarter ended March
31, 2005, a decrease of $0.27  million.  The decrease was  primarily due to a 37
basis point  decrease in the net  interest  rate spread to 2.33% for the quarter
ended March 31, 2006 compared to 2.70% for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Net
interest margin was 2.29% for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 compared to 2.55%
for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

There was a $0.31 million  provision for loan losses for the quarter ended March
31, 2006  compared to no provision  for loan losses for the quarter  ended March
31,  2005.  Management  periodically  reviews  the  credit  quality  of the loan
portfolio in order to establish a sufficient  allowance for losses on loans. The
provision for loan loss for the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 reflected
management's  estimate of the amount of allowance for loan losses required based
on management's  current  judgments about the credit quality of individual loans
and segments of the loan portfolio;  changing  economic and other conditions may
require future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses.

Non-interest  income  increased  $0.53  million to $1.35 million for the quarter
ended March 31, 2006 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2005.  The increase
in  non-interest  income was  primarily  due to a $0.21  million gain on sale of
securities  during the quarter  ended March 31, 2006 compared to no gain for the
quarter ended March 31, 2005 and no trading loss on equity securities during the
quarter ended March 31, 2006 compared to a $0.34 million  trading loss on equity
securities for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

Total  operating  expenses  were $4.38  million for the quarter  ended March 31,
2006,  compared  to $4.33  million for the quarter  ended  March 31,  2005.  The
increase in total  operating  expense was  primarily due to the increases in REO
and other repossessed  assets and professional fees, which were partially offset
by a decrease in advertising.

Net income was $1.49  million for the six months ended March 31, 2006,  compared
to net income of $1.55  million for the six months ended March 31,  2005.  Basic
and  diluted  earnings  per share were $0.33 for the six months  ended March 31,
2006  compared  to basic and  diluted  earnings  per share of $0.34 for the same
period last year.

<page>

Net  interest  income  before  provision  for loan loss for the six months ended
March 31, 2006 was $7.84  million  compared to $8.53  million for the six months
ended March 31, 2005, a decrease of $0.69  million.  The decrease was  primarily
due to a 37 basis point  decrease in the net  interest  rate spread to 2.38% for
the six months  ended March 31, 2006  compared to 2.75% for the six months ended
March 31, 2005. Net interest margin was 2.32% for the six months ended March 31,
2006 compared to 2.63% for the six months ended March 31, 2005.

There was a $0.31  million  provision  for loan losses for the six months  ended
March 31, 2006 compared to a $0.13 million provision for loan losses for the six
months ended March 31, 2005. Management  periodically reviews the credit quality
of the loan portfolio in order to establish a sufficient allowance for losses on
loans.  The  provision for loan loss for the six months ended March 31, 2006 and
2005 reflected  management's estimate of the amount of allowance for loan losses
required based on  management's  current  judgments  about the credit quality of
individual loans and segments of the loan portfolio; changing economic and other
conditions may require future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses.

Non-interest  income increased $0.44 million to $2.81 million for the six months
ended March 31, 2006 from $2.37 million for the six months ended March 31, 2005.
The increase in non-interest income was primarily due to a $0.27 million gain on
the sale of securities  and a $0.19  million gain on the sale of loan  servicing
during the six months  ended March 31,  2006  compared to no gain on the sale of
securities or loan servicing for the six months ended March 31, 2005.

Total  operating  expenses were $8.70 million for the six months ended March 31,
2006,  compared to $8.43  million for the six months ended March 31,  2005.  The
increase  in total  operating  expense was  primarily  due to the  increases  in
compensation  and benefits,  occupancy and equipment and other  expenses,  which
were partially  offset by a decrease in advertising and donations.  The Bank had
21 locations at March 31, 2006 compared to 19 locations at March 31, 2005.  Both
compensation and benefits and occupancy and equipment  expenses increased during
the six-month  period ended March 31, 2006 compared to the same period last year
as a result of the increase in branch locations.

Total assets decreased 0.5% to $737.67 million at March 31, 2006 from $741.26
million at September 30, 2005. The decrease was primarily the result of a $5.67
million decrease in total net loans and an $8.71 million decrease in cash, which
were partially offset by an increase in investment securities of $14.15 million.
The yield on average interest earning assets at March 31, 2006 was 5.69%
compared to 5.44% at September 30, 2005.

Investment  balances  increased $14.15 million during the six-month period ended
March 31, 2006 due primarily to investment  purchases of $34.44  million,  which
were  partially  offset by  $19.08  million  in  principal  payments,  calls and
maturities and $2.90 million in investment sales.

Total net loans  receivable  were $423.93  million at March 31, 2006 compared to
$429.60 million at September 30, 2005.  During the six-month  period ended March
31,  2006,  proceeds  from the sale of mortgage  loans held for sale were $22.25
million,  compared to $24.20 million during the six-month period ended March 31,
2005.  Total  nonperforming  loans decreased 39.1% to $2.40 million at March 31,
2006 from $3.94 million at September 30, 2005.

<page>

Total deposits  increased $14.16 million or 2.8% to $528.20 million at March 31,
2006 compared to $514.04  million at September 30, 2005. The increase was mainly
due to the Company refocusing its efforts on attracting  certificate accounts by
offering more  competitive  interest  rates and terms on those  accounts.  Total
Federal  Home Loan Bank  advances  decreased  $13.17  million or 8.9% to $135.48
million at March 31, 2006 compared to $148.65 million at September 30, 2005.

Accrued expenses and other liabilities decreased $3.84 million at March 31, 2006
to $3.23  million  from $7.07  million at September  30,  2005.  The decrease in
accrued  expenses  and other  liabilities  was  primarily  due to a $2.4 million
liability for investment  securities  that were committed prior to September 30,
2005 but had a settlement date after the fiscal year end.

Stockholder's equity decreased $0.66 million at March 31, 2006 to $51.71 million
from $52.37 million at September 30, 2005. The decrease in stockholders'  equity
at March 31, 2006,  compared to September  30, 2005,  was  primarily  due to the
change in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss on  securities  and dividends
declared,  which were  partially  offset by net income for the six-month  period
ended  March  31,  2006.  Accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss on  securities
decreased  $1.33  million to $3.84  million at March 31, 2006  compared to $2.52
million at September 30, 2005,  the decrease in market value was due entirely to
changes in market interest rates and is considered a temporary impairment.

Pocahontas Bancorp,  Inc. is a unitary thrift holding company,  which owns First
Community  Bank, a federally  chartered  savings and loan.  First Community Bank
conducts  business from 21 offices located  primarily in Northeast  Arkansas and
Tulsa  County,  Oklahoma.  Pocahontas  Bancorp's  common  stock is traded on the
NASDAQ National Market under the symbol PFSL.

Except for the  historical  information  contained  in this press  release,  the
matters  discussed may be deemed to be  forward-looking  statements,  within the
meaning of the Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995, that involve
risks  and  uncertainties,  including  changes  in  economic  conditions  in the
Company's market area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies,  fluctuations
in interest rates,  demand for loans in the Company's market area,  competition,
and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports.  Actual
strategies  and  results  in future  periods  may differ  materially  from those
currently expected.  These  forward-looking  statements  represent the Company's
judgment as of the date of this release.  The Company  disclaims,  however,  any
intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.





POCAHONTAS BANCORP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                                                                   March 31,             September 30,
                                                                                    2006                   2005
ASSETS
                                                                                                      
Cash                                                                                 $ 14,705,765           $ 23,411,451
Cash surrender value of life insurance                                                  8,257,371              8,019,097
Securities held-to-maturity, at cost                                                  140,492,855            129,952,373
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value                                          103,070,552             99,460,045
Trading securities, at fair value                                                               -              3,126,044
Loans receivable, net                                                                 421,224,923            426,538,047
Loans receivable, held for sale                                                         2,705,477              3,057,985
Accrued interest receivable                                                             4,502,958              4,487,837
Premises and equipment, net                                                            16,400,256             16,716,912
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost                                                   8,130,000              7,962,000
Goodwill                                                                                8,847,572              8,847,572
Core deposit premiums, net                                                              4,836,717              5,323,319
Other assets                                                                            4,499,540              4,360,885
                                                                                    -------------          -------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                                        $ 737,673,986          $ 741,263,567
                                                                                    =============          =============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Deposits                                                                            $ 528,199,424          $ 514,043,734
Federal Home Loan Bank advances                                                       135,483,858            148,645,397
Deferred compensation                                                                   2,084,390              2,176,859
Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                  3,224,612              7,066,640
Trust preferred securities                                                             16,973,066             16,962,683
                                                                                    -------------          -------------
Total liabilities                                                                     685,965,350            688,895,313
                                                                                    -------------          -------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 8,000,000 shares authorized;
 7,602,492 shares issued and 4,641,717 shares outstanding
at March 31, 2006 and September 30, 2005                                                   76,024                 76,024
Additional paid-in capital                                                             57,275,390             57,275,390
Unearned ESOP shares                                                                   (2,152,968)            (2,076,856)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net                                              (3,845,378)            (2,517,282)
Retained earnings                                                                      24,758,112             24,013,522
                                                                                    -------------          -------------
                                                                                       76,111,180             76,770,798
Treasury stock at cost, 2,960,775 shares, at
March 31, 2006 and September 30, 2005                                                 (24,402,544)           (24,402,544)
                                                                                    -------------          -------------
Total stockholders' equity                                                             51,708,636             52,368,254
                                                                                    -------------          -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                          $ 737,673,986          $ 741,263,567
                                                                                    =============          =============






POCAHONTAS BANCORP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                     Three Months Ended                   Six Months Ended
                                                         March 31                             March 31
                                                   2006             2005               2006               2005
INTEREST INCOME:
                                                                                             
  Loans receivable                                $ 6,983,801       $ 5,522,801       $ 13,884,967       $ 11,314,925
  Investment securities                             2,786,064         3,201,417          5,336,402          6,187,410

            Total interest income                   9,769,865         8,724,218         19,221,369         17,502,335

INTEREST EXPENSE:
  Deposits                                          4,005,888         2,934,733          7,834,648          5,730,537
  Borrowed funds                                    1,472,168         1,280,508          2,766,246          2,554,017
  Trust preferred securities                          401,375           351,875            776,722            693,273
                                                    ---------         ---------         ----------          ---------
            Total interest expense                  5,879,431         4,567,116         11,377,616          8,977,827

NET INTEREST INCOME                                 3,890,434         4,157,102          7,843,753          8,524,508

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES                             310,000                 -            310,000            125,000
                                                    ---------         ---------         ----------          ---------
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
  PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES                         3,580,434         4,157,102          7,533,753          8,399,508

NON-INTEREST INCOME:
  Dividends                                            99,438            65,593            197,139            127,461
  Fees and service charges                            766,498           769,876          1,580,226          1,563,580
  Gain on sale of loans                               168,243           201,608            369,877            475,038
  Gain on sale of loan servicing                      (25,698)                -            194,056                  -
  Gain on sale of securities, net                     211,936                 -            265,959                  -
  Trading gain/(loss), net                                  -          (338,408)               337             23,720
  Other                                               131,625           120,032            199,383            179,691
                                                    ---------         ---------         ----------          ---------
            Total other income                      1,352,042           818,701          2,806,977          2,369,490
                                                    ---------         ---------         ----------          ---------
OPERATING EXPENSE:
  Compensation and benefits                         2,378,834         2,391,062          4,822,353          4,760,712
  Occupancy and equipment                             762,698           766,139          1,498,892          1,434,672
  Insurance premiums                                   89,323            85,882            198,396            176,341
  Professional fees                                   333,018           280,496            584,377            537,253
  Data processing                                     183,134           163,410            367,124            311,622
  Advertising and donations                           150,790           253,783            290,288            420,528
  Office supplies                                      82,402            65,175            155,570            117,929
  REO and other repossessed assets                     57,431            11,977             81,102             39,512
  Other                                               341,681           307,421            698,747            626,692
                                                    ---------         ---------         ----------          ---------
            Total operating expense                 4,379,311         4,325,345          8,696,849          8,425,261
                                                    ---------         ---------         ----------          ---------
INCOME  BEFORE INCOME TAXES                           553,165           650,458          1,643,881          2,343,737

INCOME TAXES                                          (77,500)         220,600            156,617            796,500
                                                    ---------         ---------         ----------          ---------
NET INCOME                                          $ 630,665         $ 429,858        $ 1,487,264        $ 1,547,237


                                                                     (Continued)

<page>


POCAHONTAS BANCORP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                            Three Months Ended                 Six Months Ended
                                                                March 31                           March 31
                                                           2006             2005             2006              2005

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS),
          NET OF TAX:
  Unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities
                                                                                                 
   available-for-sale  arising during the period           $ (970,848)    $ (2,423,551)     $ (1,152,563)    $ (2,068,028)

  Reclassification adjustment for gains
    included in net income                                   (139,877)              -           (175,533)              -
                                                           ----------      -----------       ------------    ------------
              Other comprehensive income (loss)            (1,110,725)      (2,423,551)       (1,328,096)      (2,068,028)
                                                           ----------      -----------       ------------     -----------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                                $ (480,060)    $ (1,993,693)       $ 159,168        $ (520,791)
                                                           ==========      ===========       ============      ==========
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
  Basic earnings per share                                    $ 0.14           $ 0.10            $ 0.33           $ 0.34
                                                           ==========      ===========       ============      ==========
  Diluted earnings per share                                  $ 0.14           $ 0.09            $ 0.33           $ 0.34
                                                           ==========      ===========       ============      ==========


                                                                    (Concluded)