EXHIBIT 99.1


                            (CIVITAS BANKGROUP LOGO)
                      810 Crescent Centre Drive, Suite 320
                               Franklin, TN 37067
                      office 615.263.9500 fax 615.383.8830


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Contact: Mike Alday
February 8, 2005                                           Alday Communications
                                                           615.791.1535


                    CIVITAS BANKGROUP DECLARES STOCK DIVIDEND

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Civitas BankGroup (OTC: CVBG) announced today that on March
11, 2005, it will pay a stock dividend of 2.5 shares per 1,000 shares owned by
shareholders of record as of February 18, 2005. Fractional shares will be paid
in cash based on the closing price of Civitas BankGroup common stock on February
18, 2005.

"We want to reward our shareholders for their investment in Civitas, and the
stock dividend is the most appropriate method," said Richard E. Herrington,
President of Civitas BankGroup. "As we continue our efforts to grow our business
in key markets, the growth in our capital will be a paramount."

Civitas BankGroup is a multi-bank holding company operating 19 retail offices.
It is the parent company of Cumberland Bank in Middle Tennessee, BankTennessee
in Collierville, and the Bank of Mason.

                                       ###


THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE WHICH ARE NOT HISTORICAL FACTS ARE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MADE PURSUANT TO THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
DESCRIBING OUR FUTURE PLANS, PROJECTIONS, STRATEGIES AND EXPECTATIONS, ARE BASED
ON ASSUMPTIONS AND INVOLVE A NUMBER OF RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, MANY OF WHICH
ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL. ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE
PROJECTED DUE TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES, COMPETITION IN THE INDUSTRY, CHANGES
IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND VARIOUS OTHER FACTORS. ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION CONCERNING SUCH FACTORS, WHICH COULD AFFECT US, IS CONTAINED IN OUR
FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.