================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 12, 2006 SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Texas 0-12247 75-1848732 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification Number) 1201 S. Beckham, Tyler, Texas 75701 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (903) 531-7111 NA (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under Securities Act (17 CFR 230-425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) ================================================================================ ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS. On May 12, 2006, Southside Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release in connection with the application filed by First National Bank Group, Inc., Edinburg, Texas to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas seeking prior approval to acquire up to 9.9% of the Company's common stock in open market purchases. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (d) Exhibits. The following materials are furnished as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K: EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT ------- -------------------------------- 99.1 Press release dated May 12, 2006 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC. Date: May 12, 2006 By: /s/ Sam Dawson ------------------------------------- Sam Dawson President and Chief Operating Officer