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For Immediate Release : I Simmons First National Corporation Exhibit 99.1 April 20 , 2021 SIMMONS REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2021 EARNINGS Pine Bluff , AR - Simmons First National Corporation ( NASDAQ : SFNC ) ( the " Company " or " Simmons " ) today announced net income of $ 67.4 million for the quarter ended March 31 , 2021 , compared to $ 77.2 million for the same period in 2020 , a decrease of $ 9.8 million , or 12.7 % , due in significant part to the difference in the gains on sale of securities recognized during the periods . Diluted earnings per share were $ 0.62 , a decrease of $ 0.06 , or 8.8 % , compared to the same period in the prior year . Included in first quarter 2021 results were $ 634,000 in net after - tax merger - related and net branch right - sizing costs as well as a $ 4.0 million after - tax gain primarily associated with the sale of branches in Illinois . Excluding the impact of these items , core earnings were $ 64.0 million for the quarter ended March 31 , 2021 , compared to $ 73.8 million for the quarter ended March 31 , 2020 , a decrease of $ 9.8 million , or 13.3 % . Core diluted earnings per share were $ 0.59 , a decrease of $ 0.06 , or 9.2 % , from the same period in 2020 . " We are very pleased with our solid performance in the first quarter . It reflects the benefit of our diverse operating model , ” said George A. Makris , Jr. , chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Corporation . " We are still feeling the effects of COVID in the economy . Some industries are still struggling to return to pre - COVID levels of performance and the government's economic stimulus packages have created a rapid rise in liquidity . Loan demand has been well below historical levels , but we are encouraged by the rebuilding of the pipeline during the first quarter . Asset quality has improved as compared to 2020 and we are optimistic that trend will continue . Based on our current levels of capital and liquidity , we have lending capacity that we have not seen in several years , so Simmons is poised to do our part as the economy continues to return to normal . " Selected Highlights : Net income Diluted earnings per share Return on avg assets 1st Qtr 2021 $ 67.4 million 4th Qtr 2020 $ 53.0 million 1st Qtr 2020 $ 77.2 million $ 0.62 $ 0.49 $ 0.68 1.20 % 0.96 % 1.48 % Return on avg common equity 9.20 % 7.13 % 10.83 % Return on tangible common equity ( 1 ) 15.85 % 12.48 % 19.00 % Core earnings ( 2 ) $ 64.0 million $ 62.0 million $ 73.8 million Core diluted earnings per share ( 2 ) Core return on avg assets ( 2 ) Core return on avg common equity ( 2 ) $ 0.59 $ 0.57 $ 0.65 1.14 % 1.13 % 1.42 % 8.73 % 8.34 % 10.35 % Core return on tangible common equity ( 1 ) ( 2 ) Efficiency ratio ( 3 ) 15.08 % 14.51 % 18.19 % 57.77 % 55.27 % 57.79 % $ 73.1 million $ 83.1 million Adjusted pre - tax , pre - provision earnings ( 2 ) $ 84.4 million ( 1 ) Return on tangible common equity excludes goodwill and other intangible assets and is a non - GAAP measurement . Please see " Non - GAAP Financial Measures " and " Reconciliation of Non - GAAP Financial Measures " below . ( 2 ) Core figures exclude non - core items and are non - GAAP measurements . Adjusted pre - tax , pre - provision earnings excludes provision for income taxes , provisions for credit losses and unfunded commitments , gains on sales of securities , and other pre - tax , non - core items , and is also a non - GAAP measurement . Please see " Non - GAAP Financial Measures " and " Reconciliation of Non - GAAP Financial Measures " below . ( 3 ) Efficiency ratio is core non - interest expense before foreclosed property expense and amortization of intangibles , as a percent of net interest income ( fully taxable equivalent ) and non - interest revenues , excluding gains and losses from securities transactions and non - core items , and is a non - GAAP measurement . Please see " Non - GAAP Financial Measures ” and “ Reconciliation of Non - GAAP Financial Measures " below . P.O. BOX 7009 501 MAIN STREET PINE BLUFF , ARKANSAS 71611-7009 ( 870 ) 541-1000 www.simmonsbank.com