Mississippi banking consists of several national chains, a few well-trusted regional names and small Mississippi community banks. While Mississippi lacks the resources and big commercial businesses of many states, it still has a good selection of banks for small and commercial business customers.

When banking retail in Mississippi, you can find all the custom services of banks in bigger states, like payroll, loans and lines of credit and business checking accounts. Some trusted names like AmSouth have merged with other banks or changed names, but banks in Mississippi still retain that friendly Southern style.

When you need to do Mississippi retail banking, look at the following options:

1. A few national banking chains operate in Mississippi with a concentration of Mississippi retail banks branches in the Jackson area.
2. Regional Deep South banks and Mississippi community banks offer customers the same services as chain banks with a better knowledge of local trends.
3. Small Mississippi banks, located in rural areas, cater to businesses that don't use complicated services on a regular basis.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose bigger chain banks in Mississippi if you run a high volume company

National chains do business in Mississippi, and along with a few regional banks, give customers information about small business loans from the government, lines of credit and payroll services.

I recommend: Acquire the national and international expertise of Mississippi retail banks like Chase Manhattan for online banking, corporate checking, loans plus merchant and collection services. Check out Wachovia, which has branches in Biloxi, Jackson and rural areas. They highlight services for business including bad check recovery, employee insurance and retirement and savings plans.

Find Mississippi banks owned and operated by locals

Community banks in Mississippi can give business owners a special insight into the region. Choose local or regional retail banks in Mississippi when you want personalized service and a lower minimum deposit.

I recommend: Call Regions, formerly AmSouth, which caters to businesses with a business products package that includes a platinum corporate credit card with no annual fee and a business money market account. Contact another great banking choice with a history of service in Mississippi retail banking -- Trustmark Banking and Financial Solutions. Trustmark has tax management, retail lockbox and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) services for business.

Deal with retail banks in Mississippi with a sense of community

In southwest Mississippi and in other regions beside Jackson and Biloxi, small, local banks give business customers targeted service without the hassle of an impersonal national chain.

I recommend: Look at the Mississippi-run chain BankPlus, for their emphasis on online banking and their Repurchase Agreement Account to maximize business investments. Avoid the harried interaction of a chain by doing business at Merchants and Planters Bank and open a business checking account for $1,000.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Investigate fees and other restrictions when choosing local retail banks in MS, especially when dealing with a small rural bank.