As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 12, 2016

Registration No. 333-         ​

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

1201 S. Beckham Avenue
Tyler, TX 75701
Telephone: (903) 531-7111

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Lee R. Gibson
President
Southside Bancshares, Inc.
1201 S. Beckham Avenue
Tyler, TX 75701
Telephone: (903) 531-7111

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Copies to:
Lesley H. Solomon
Alston & Bird LLP
1201 W. Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3424
Telephone: (404) 881-7000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☑

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☑

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of  “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company,” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

(1)

An unspecified number of the securities of each identified class of securities is being registered for possible issuance from time to time at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. Includes an indeterminate amount of our securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for, as the case may be, any other securities registered under this registration statement.

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(2)

In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee subject to the conditions set forth in such rules.

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PROSPECTUS

Common Stock
Warrants
Senior Debt Securities
Subordinated Debt Securities
Purchase Contracts
Units

By this prospectus, we may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offering: shares of our common stock; warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities; senior debt securities; subordinated debt securities; purchase contracts relating to the purchase or sale of securities, currencies or commodities; and units consisting of two or more of the foregoing.

We will provide specific terms of each issuance of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of securities, the prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commission or discounts. See “Plan of Distribution” for a general description of the manner in which we may sell the securities described in this prospectus. In addition, certain selling shareholders may sell shares of our common stock, from time to time, together or separately, on terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the documents incorporated by reference, before you decide to invest in the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each time that we or any selling shareholders sell securities using this prospectus, we or any selling shareholders may provide a prospectus supplement and attach it to this prospectus. Any such prospectus supplement will contain more specific information about the offering and the securities being offered, including the names of any selling shareholders, if applicable, the prices and our net proceeds from the sales of those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SBSI.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.

Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider the information referred to under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 before you invest in our securities.

Any securities offered by this prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplement will not be savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the FDIC, the Bank Insurance Fund or any other government agency or instrumentality.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the FDIC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or the Federal Reserve, or any state securities commission or any other federal regulatory agency has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is September 12, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC or Commission, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we and/or certain selling shareholders may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we and/or certain selling shareholders may offer. Each time we and/or certain selling shareholders offer to sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the information in the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. It is important for you to consider the information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the combined entities of Southside Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The words “Southside” and “Southside Bancshares” refer to Southside Bancshares, Inc. The words “Southside Bank” and “the Bank” refer to Southside Bank. “SFG” refers to SFG Finance, LLC (formerly Southside Financial Group, LLC), which was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank as of July 15, 2011. SFG is consolidated in our financial statements and was dissolved in April 2015. “Omni” refers to OmniAmerican Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company acquired by Southside on December 17, 2014.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement with the SEC, of which this prospectus is a part, with respect to the securities being offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. We refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto for further information. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document filed as an exhibit are qualified in all respects by reference to the actual text of the exhibit.

You may read and copy the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC and from which you can electronically access the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement.

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the public reference room and website of the SEC referred to above.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SBSI,” and all such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us with NASDAQ may be inspected at the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., Reports Section, 1735 K Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

We also maintain an Internet site where you can find additional information. The address of our Internet site is http://www.southside.com. All internet addresses provided in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be hyperlinks. In addition, the information on our Internet website, or any other Internet site described herein, is not a part of, and is not incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering materials.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of filing those documents. Any reports filed by us with the SEC on or after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have filed the documents listed below with the SEC under the Exchange Act, and these documents are incorporated herein by reference (other than information in such documents that is furnished and not deemed to be filed):

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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2016;

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Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2016 and July 29, 2016, respectively;

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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2016, April 20, 2016, May 16, 2016 and June 15, 2016;

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Those portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2016 that are incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015; and

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The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for purposes of updating such description.

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All documents we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities to which this prospectus relates (other than information in such documents that is furnished and not deemed to be filed) shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be part hereof from the date of filing of those documents.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus (other than the exhibits to such documents which are not specifically incorporated by reference therein). We will provide this information at no cost to the requester upon written or oral request to Southside Bancshares, Inc., Attn: Secretary, 1201 South Beckham Avenue, Tyler, Texas, 75701; Tel.: (877) 639-3511.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or set forth in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. Neither we nor any underwriters, dealers or agents have authorized anyone else to provide you with additional or different information. We and the selling shareholders, if any, are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any other offering material or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the dates on the front of those documents.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements about the financial condition, results of operations, earnings outlook and business plans, goals, expectations and prospects of Southside. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “feel,” “expect,” “estimate,” “indicate,” “seek,” “strive,” “plan,” “intend,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “project,” “position,” “target,” “mission,” “contemplate,” “assume,” “achievable,” “potential,” “strategy,” “goal,” “aspiration,” “outcome,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “trend,” “objective” and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “may” or similar expressions often identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are predicated on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information known to management as of the date of this prospectus and do not purport to speak as of any other date. Forward-looking statements may include forecasts of revenue, earnings or other measures of economic performance, including statements of profitability, business segments and subsidiaries; any statements of the plans and objectives of management for future or past operations; any statements of expectation or belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus reflect the view of management as of this date with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements or historical results. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following possibilities:

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use of proceeds from any sale of securities by us;

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general economic conditions, either globally, nationally, in the State of Texas, or in the specific markets in which we operate, including, without limitation, the deterioration of the commercial real estate, residential real estate, construction and development, energy, oil and gas, credit and liquidity markets, which could cause an adverse change in our net interest margin, or a decline in the value of our assets, which could result in realized losses;

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current or future legislation, regulatory changes or changes in monetary or fiscal policy that adversely affect the businesses in which we are engaged, including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the Federal Reserve’s actions with respect to interest rates, the capital requirements promulgated by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and other regulatory responses to current economic conditions;

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adverse changes in the status or financial condition of the Government-Sponsored Enterprises (the “GSEs”) impacting the GSEs’ guarantees or ability to pay or issue debt;

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adverse changes in the credit portfolio of other U.S. financial institutions relative to the performance of certain of our investment securities;

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economic or other disruptions caused by acts of terrorism in the United States, Europe or other areas;

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changes in the interest rate yield curve such as flat, inverted or steep yield curves, or changes in the interest rate environment that impact interest margins and may impact prepayments on the mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) portfolio;

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increases in our nonperforming assets;

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our ability to maintain adequate liquidity to fund operations and growth;

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the failure of our assumptions underlying allowance for loan losses and other estimates;

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execution of future acquisition, reorganization or disposition transactions including without limitation, the related time and costs of implementing such transactions, integrating operations as part of these transactions and possible failures to achieve expected gains, revenue growth and/or expense savings and other anticipated benefits from such transactions;

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unexpected outcomes of, and the costs associated with, existing or new litigation involving us;

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changes impacting our balance sheet and leverage strategy;

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risks related to actual mortgage prepayments diverging from projections;

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risks related to U.S. agency MBS prepayments increasing due to U.S. government programs designed to assist homeowners to refinance their mortgage that might not otherwise have qualified;

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our ability to monitor interest rate risk;

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risks related to the price per barrel of crude oil;

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significant increases in competition in the banking and financial services industry;

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changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits;

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technological changes, including potential cyber-security incidents;

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our ability to increase market share and control expenses;

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our ability to develop competitive new products and services in a timely manner and the acceptance of such products and services by our customers;

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the effect of changes in federal or state tax laws;

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the effect of compliance with legislation or regulatory changes;

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the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices;

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credit risks of borrowers, including any increase in those risks due to changing economic conditions;

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risks related to loans secured by real estate, including the risk that the value and marketability of collateral could decline; and

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other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Southside’s SEC filings.

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Any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus or in any documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, are subject to the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Southside does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, unless otherwise required by law. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Southside or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this prospectus.

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SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC.

Southside Bancshares, Inc., incorporated in Texas in 1982, is a bank holding company for Southside Bank, a Texas state bank headquartered in Tyler, Texas that was formed in 1960. We operate through 60 banking centers, 18 of which are located in grocery stores, and 25 motor bank facilities.

At June 30, 2016, Southside had total assets of  $5.04 billion, total loans of  $2.38 billion, deposits of $3.57 billion and shareholders’ equity of  $472.3 million. Southside has paid a cash dividend every year since 1970 (including dividends paid by Southside Bank prior to the incorporation of Southside Bancshares). On May 5, 2016, Southside’s board of directors declared a 5% stock dividend to holders of record of common stock as of May 31, 2016, which was paid on June 28, 2016.

We are a community-focused financial institution that offers a full range of financial services to individuals, businesses, municipal entities, and nonprofit organizations in the communities that we serve. These services include consumer and commercial loans, deposit accounts, trust services, safe deposit services and brokerage services.

Our consumer loan services include 1-4 family residential loans, home equity loans, home improvement loans, automobile loans and other installment loans. Commercial loan services include short-term working capital loans for inventory and accounts receivable, short and medium-term loans for equipment or other business capital expansion, commercial real estate loans and municipal loans. We also offer construction loans for 1-4 family residential and commercial real estate.

We offer a variety of deposit accounts with a wide range of interest rates and terms, including savings, money market, interest and noninterest bearing checking accounts and certificates of deposit. Our trust services include investment management, administration and advisory services, primarily for individuals and, to a lesser extent, partnerships and corporations. At June 30, 2016, our trust department managed approximately $894.2 million of trust assets.

Our business strategy includes evaluating expansion opportunities through acquisitions of financial institutions in market areas that could complement our existing franchise. We generally seek merger partners that are culturally similar, have experienced management and possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale and expanded services. During 2014, we acquired OmniAmerican Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market and the holding company for OmniAmerican Bank, a federal savings association, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

We and our subsidiaries are subject to comprehensive regulation, examination and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board, the Texas Department of Banking, and the FDIC, and are subject to numerous laws and regulations relating to their operations, including, among other things, permissible activities, capital adequacy, reserve requirements, standards for safety and soundness, internal controls, consumer protection, anti-money laundering, and privacy and data security.

Southside’s headquarters are located at 1201 South Beckham Avenue, Tyler, Texas 75701, and our telephone number is (903) 531-7111. Our website can be found at http://www.southside.com. The contents of our website are not incorporated into this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which descriptions are incorporated by reference herein, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement hereto before making a decision to invest in our securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information,” above for information about how to obtain a copy of these documents. Additional risks related to our securities may also be described in a prospectus supplement.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from our sales of the securities for general corporate purposes, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of shares of common stock by selling shareholders under this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial information for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 through December 31, 2015 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial information as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2016 is derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of our management, reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of these data for those dates. The selected consolidated income data for the six months ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 2016. You should not assume the results of operations for any past periods indicate results for any future period. You should read this information in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2016, each of which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” The per common share data below has been adjusted to give retroactive recognition to stock dividends.

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We completed the acquisition of Omni on December 17, 2014. Accordingly, our balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014 reflects the effects of the acquisition of Omni. Income statement data with respect to Omni includes only the results of Omni’s operations for December 17 – December 31, 2014.

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CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges (from continuing operations) for each of the periods shown are as follows:

For purposes of computing the foregoing ratios, earnings represent continuing operations income (loss) before applicable income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges, excluding interest on deposits, include interest expense (other than on deposits), amortization of capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, and the proportion deemed representative of the interest factor of rent expense. Fixed charges, including interest on deposits, include all interest expense, amortization of capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, and the proportion deemed representative of the interest factor of rent expense.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following descriptions are summaries of the material terms of our Restated Certificate of Formation and Amended and Restated Bylaws and include all material information with respect to our capital stock. Reference is made to the more detailed provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, copies of which will be filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and applicable law. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

Our Restated Certificate of Formation authorizes us to issue up to 40,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.25 per share.

As of September 7, 2016, there were 26,276,812 shares of common stock outstanding, approximately 796,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and approximately 72,000 shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

Common Stock

Voting Rights

Each holder of shares of Southside common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held on all questions submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders. Holders of shares of Southside common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.

Election of our directors requires the approval by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors at a shareholder meeting at which a quorum is present. Other matters (other than the election of directors or a matter for which the affirmative vote of the holders of a specified portion of the shares entitled to vote is required by Texas law or the restated certificate of formation) require approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on, and voted for or against, or expressly abstained from voting with respect to, the matter at a shareholder meeting at which a quorum is present.

Our restated certificate of formation provides for the election of directors to three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, to hold office for staggered terms. Directors elected to each class shall hold office until the expiration of the three-year term applicable to the class of directorship to which the respective director is elected and until their successors are elected and qualified, or they shall hold office until death or retirement or until resignation or removal in the manner provided in our amended and restated bylaws. This helps ensure the continuity of our board of directors and effectively makes it more difficult for potential acquirers of Southside to acquire control of us through control of our board of directors.

Dividends

Our board of directors may declare, at its discretion, dividends payable in cash, property or shares of Southside, subject to our restated certificate of formation and to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Liquidation

Subject to the prior rights of our creditors, in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to shareholders.

Preemptive Rights

Holders of shares of our common stock do not have preemptive rights. Preemptive rights are the priority right to buy additional shares if we issue more shares in the future. Therefore, if additional shares are issued by us without the opportunity for existing shareholders to purchase more shares, a shareholder’s ownership interest in us may be subject to dilution.

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Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SBSI.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services.

Certain Provisions of Texas Law and Certain Charter and By-law Provisions

The following sets forth certain provisions of the Texas Business Organizations Code, or the TBOC, and our Restated Certificate of Formation and Amended and Restated Bylaws.

Shareholder Meetings

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that special meetings of the shareholders may be called by our President and shall be called by our President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of our board of directors, or at the request in writing of Southside shareholders owning not less than 10% of all the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. A request for a special meeting must state the purpose of the proposed meeting. Business transacted at a special meeting shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice of such meeting.

Action by Shareholders without a Meeting

The TBOC permits shareholder action by unanimous written consent. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that shareholders have the authority to take any action by unanimous written consent.

No Cumulative Voting

The TBOC provides that a corporation may limit or prohibit a shareholder’s right to cumulate votes in the election of directors pursuant to its certificate of formation. Our Restated Certificate of Formation prohibits cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Director Removal

Our Bylaws provide that any or all of our directors may be removed from office, for cause only, by a majority shareholder vote.

Classified Board and Term of Directors

Our Restated Certificate of Formation provides for the election of directors to three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, to hold office for staggered terms. Directors elected to each class shall hold office until the expiration of the three-year term applicable to the class of directorship to which the respective director is elected and until their successors are elected and qualified, or they shall hold office until death or retirement or until resignation or removal in the manner provided in our Amended and Restated Bylaws.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Shareholder Nominations and Proposals

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws set forth advance notice procedures with respect to shareholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of our Board of Directors or its committees.

Texas Business Combination Statute

We are subject to the affiliated business combinations provisions of Chapter 21, Subchapter M of the TBOC (Sections 21.601 through 21.610), which provide that a Texas corporation may not engage in certain business combinations, including mergers, share exchanges and asset sales, with a person, or an affiliate or associate of such person, who is an “Affiliated Shareholder” (generally defined as the holder of 20% or more of the corporation’s voting shares) for a period of three years from the date such person became an Affiliated Shareholder unless: (1) the business combination or purchase or acquisition of shares made by

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the Affiliated Shareholder was approved by the board of directors of the corporation before the Affiliated Shareholder became an Affiliated Shareholder or (2) the business combination was approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation not beneficially owned by the Affiliated Shareholder or an affiliate or associate of the Affiliated Shareholder, at a meeting of shareholders called for that purpose (and not by written consent), not less than six months after the Affiliated Shareholder became an Affiliated Shareholder.

Neither our Restated Certificate of Formation nor our Amended and Restated Bylaws contain any provision expressly providing that we will not be subject to the affiliated business combinations provisions of the TBOC. The affiliated business combinations provisions of the TBOC may have the effect of inhibiting a non-negotiated merger or other business combination involving Southside, even if such event(s) would be beneficial to our shareholders.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Our Restated Certificate of Formation limits the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Texas statutory or decisional law. The TBOC currently prohibits the elimination of personal liability for (1) a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty, (2) acts or omissions not in good faith that (a) constitute a breach of the director’s duty to the corporation or (b) involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, or (4) acts or omissions for which the liability of a director is expressly provided by an applicable statute.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer by this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the warrants then offered, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superseded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, debt securities, other securities or any combination of these securities. Securities warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from such other securities. Each issuance of the warrants will be issued under a separate securities warrant agreement to be entered into by us and a bank or trust company, as securities warrant agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of offered warrants. Each issue of warrants will be evidenced by warrant certificates. The securities warrant agent will act solely as an agent of ours in connection with the securities warrant certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holder of securities warrant certificates or beneficial owners of warrants.

If we offer warrants pursuant to this prospectus in the future, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of such warrants, including the following, where applicable:

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the offering price at which we will issue the warrants;

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the total number of warrants;

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any applicable anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares to be delivered upon exercise of warrants to purchase common stock;

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the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are being offered, if any, the number of the warrants being offered with each security, and the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

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the price at which investors may purchase the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, as well as related adjustment provisions affecting that exercise price;

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the date on and after which the warrants and any related securities will be transferable separately;

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the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and expire;

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federal income tax considerations; and

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any other material terms of the warrants.

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Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for debt securities will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon the exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon the exercise. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of common stock will not have any rights of holders of the common stock purchasable upon the exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the common stock purchasable upon the exercise.

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DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR AND SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer from time to time debt securities in the form of either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We will issue debt securities under one or more separate indentures between us and a trustee to be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The following summary of the general terms and provisions of the indenture is not complete (the text below refers to both indentures as the form of  “indenture”). Forms of indentures for senior indebtedness and subordinated indebtedness are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The indentures are substantially identical except as described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities” in this section. You should read the indentures for provisions that may be important to you.

When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, the prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series, and it will also address whether the general terms and provisions described below apply to the particular series of debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the forms of indenture.

General

Unless otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture, our board of directors will set the particular terms of each series of debt securities, which will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series. We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture, in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium or at a discount. Among other things, the prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities being offered will address the following terms of the debt securities:

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the title of the debt securities;

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the price(s), expressed as a percentage of the principal amount, at which we will sell the debt securities;

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whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated, and, if subordinated, any such provisions that are different from those described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities;”

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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

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the date(s) when principal payments are due on the debt securities;

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the interest rate(s) on the debt securities, which may be fixed or variable, per annum or otherwise, and the method used to determine the rate(s), the dates on which interest will begin to accrue and be payable, and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

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the place(s) where principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable;

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provisions governing redemption of the debt securities, including any redemption or purchase requirements pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the redemption price and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

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the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than minimum denominations of  $1,000 and any integral multiple in excess thereof;

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whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

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the portion of the principal of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the entire principal amount;

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•

any additional or modified events of default from those described in this prospectus or in the indenture and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture;

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any additional or modified covenants from those described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

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any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities; and

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any other specific terms of such debt securities.

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In addition, we may issue convertible debt securities. Any conversion provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set forth in the officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. To the extent applicable, conversion may be mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common or preferred stock to be received upon conversion would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will provide an overview of the U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any debt securities we offer for sale.

Transfer and Exchange

As described in the applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security will be represented by either a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) or one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary, or its nominee (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), in the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities. Except as described below under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System,” book-entry debt securities will not be certificated.

Certificated Debt Securities

You can transfer certificated debt securities (and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest thereon) only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities. Either we or the trustee will reissue the existing certificate, or issue a new certificate, to the new holder.

You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. There is no service charge, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any taxes or other governmental charges payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System

Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (which we refer to below as “DTC” or the “depositary”), as the depositary, and registered in its (or its nominee’s) name. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company and a “banking organization” organized under New York law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within in the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. We understand that DTC intends to follow the following procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.

Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to “participants” or persons that may hold interests through participants (sometimes called “indirect participants”). A participant is a person having an account with the depositary for the related global debt security, typically broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the depositary will credit the participants’ accounts on its book-entry registration and transfer system with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities owned by such participants; the depositary will have no knowledge of the underlying beneficial owners of

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the book-entry debt securities owned by participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities will designate accounts to be credited. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the related global debt security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of indirect participants). Some states may legally require certain purchasers to take physical delivery of such securities, which may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities.

So long as DTC (or its nominee) is the registered owner of a global debt security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. This means that, except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names or to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form nor will such beneficial owners be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on DTC’s procedures for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest. As a beneficial owner of book-entry debt securities, information regarding your holdings will come through the participant, or indirect participant, through which you own such securities.

Notwithstanding the above, under existing industry practice, the depositary may authorize persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain of a holder’s rights. For purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities under the indenture, we, the trustee and our respective agents will treat DTC as the holder of a debt security and/or any persons specified in a written statement of the depositary with respect to that global debt security.

All payments of principal of, and premium and interest on, book-entry debt securities will be paid to DTC (or its nominee) as the registered holder of the related global debt security, and any redemption notices will be sent directly to DTC. Neither we, the trustee nor any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests. We expect DTC, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, premium or interest on a global debt security, to immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments ratably according to the respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held by each participant. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, similar to those for securities held in “street name.”

We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each global debt security if the depositary at any time cannot or will not continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and we fail to appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have the book-entry debt securities represented by global debt securities; in that event, we will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for the global debt securities of that series. If an event of default with respect to the book-entry debt securities represented by those global debt securities has occurred and is continuing, holders may exchange global debt securities for certificated debt securities.

We have obtained the foregoing information concerning DTC and its book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions affording holders of the debt securities protection, such as prior consent or acceleration rights, in the event we agree to a change in control or a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control), which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

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Covenants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any restrictive covenants applicable to any debt securities we offer for sale.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate or merge with, or sell or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person, which we refer to as a “successor,” unless:

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we are the surviving corporation or the successor (if not us) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

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immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and

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certain other conditions are met.

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Events of Default

For any series of debt securities, in addition to any event of default described in the prospectus supplement applicable to that series, an event of default will include the following events:

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default in the payment when due of any interest on any debt security of that series, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless we deposit the entire amount of such payment with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of such 30-day period);

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default in the payment when due of principal of any debt security of that series;

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default in the deposit when due of any sinking fund payment in respect of any debt security of that series;

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default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty in the indenture that applies to such series, which default continues (without such default or breach having been waived in accordance with the provisions of the indenture) for a period of 90 days after we have received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the indenture; and

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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us.

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The applicable prospectus supplement will explain whether or not an event of default with respect to one series of debt securities will constitute a cross-default with respect to any other series of debt securities (except that certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization will always constitute cross-defaults).

If an event of default with respect to any outstanding debt securities occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of 25.0% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by written notice to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), accelerate the payment of the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. Such acceleration is automatic (without any notice required) in the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. Following acceleration, payments on our subordinated debt securities, if any, will be subject to the subordination provisions described below under “Subordinated Debt Securities.” At any time after acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series, but before the trustee has obtained a court judgment or decree for payment of the amounts due, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the

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indenture. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities will contain particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities unless the trustee is indemnified against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of any debt security may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

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that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

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the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested the trustee in writing (and offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee) to institute the proceeding (and have not subsequently given contrary instructions), and the trustee has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

Under the indenture we must furnish the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year. The indenture provides that, other than with respect to payment defaults, the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of a default or event of default if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may amend or supplement the indenture or a series of debt securities if the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments consent thereto. We may not make any amendment or waiver without the consent of the specific holder of an affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment or waiver will:

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reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

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reduce the rate of, or extend the time for payment of, interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

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reduce the principal or change the stated maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

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reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

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waive a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

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make the principal of or interest, if any, on any debt security payable in any currency other than that stated in the debt security;

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make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, holders’ rights to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

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waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security.

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Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of all holders waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of all holders waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a payment default or a default of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance

We may deposit with the trustee, in trust, cash or U.S. government securities in an amount that, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, which is sufficient in the opinion of our independent public accountants to make all payments of principal and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities of that series on the due dates for such payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities. If we make such a deposit, unless otherwise provided under the applicable series of debt securities, we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of such series (except for obligations relating to the transfer or exchange of debt securities and the replacement of stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities and relating to maintaining paying agencies and the treatment of funds held by paying agents and certain rights of the trustee and our obligations with respect thereto). However, this discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee a legal opinion stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and, based thereon confirming that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants

Under the indenture (and unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities), upon making the deposit and delivering the legal opinion described in “Legal Defeasance” above, we will not need to comply with the covenants described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants that may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any such noncompliance will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, or covenant defeasance.

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default

If we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amounts on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. We will remain liable for those payments.

The Trustee

The indentures limit the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims or secure its claims. The trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions. However, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, and there is a default under the debt securities of any series for which it is trustee, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.

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Subordinated Debt Securities

The indenture will govern the extent to which payment on any subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities also are effectively subordinated to all debt and other liabilities, including trade payables and lease obligations, if any, of our subsidiaries.

Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of principal and interest on subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such senior indebtedness. If subordinated debt securities are accelerated because of an event of default, the holders of any senior indebtedness would be entitled to payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to such holders of all senior indebtedness obligations before the holders of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment or distribution. The indenture requires us or the trustee to promptly notify holders of designated senior indebtedness of any acceleration of payment of the subordinated debt securities.

We may not make any payment on the subordinated debt securities, including upon redemption (whether at the holder’s or our option) if:

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a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, interest, rent or other obligations in respect of any senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable grace period (called a “payment default”); or

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a default (other than a payment default) with respect to designated senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing that permits holders of designated senior indebtedness to accelerate its maturity, and the trustee receives a notice of such default (called a “payment blockage notice”) from us or any other person permitted to give such notice under the indenture (called a “non-payment default”).

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We may resume payments and distributions on the subordinated debt securities, in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist; and, in the case of a non-payment default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived and 179 days after the date on which the payment blockage notice is received, if the maturity of the designated senior indebtedness has not been accelerated, unless the indenture otherwise prohibits such payment or distribution at the time of such payment or distribution.

No new payment blockage notice may be given unless and until 365 days have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior payment blockage notice and all scheduled payments, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities that have come due have been paid in full in cash. A non-payment default existing or continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice cannot be the basis for any later payment blockage notice.

If the trustee or any holder of the notes receives any payment or distribution of our assets in contravention of the foregoing subordination provisions, then such payment or distribution will be held in trust for the benefit of holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives to the extent necessary to make payment in full in cash or payment satisfactory to the holders of senior indebtedness of all unpaid senior indebtedness.

In the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of the subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors (including our trade creditors). This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the indenture.

The indenture does not prohibit us from incurring debt, including senior indebtedness. We may from time to time incur additional debt, including senior indebtedness.

We are obligated to pay reasonable compensation to the trustee, reimburse the trustee for reasonable expenses and to indemnify the trustee against certain losses, liabilities or expenses it incurs in connection with its duties relating to the subordinated debt securities. The trustee’s claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of noteholders in respect of all funds collected or held by the trustee and will not be subject to subordination.

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Certain Definitions

“Indebtedness” means:

(1)

all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) for borrowed money (including our obligations in respect of overdrafts, foreign exchange contracts, currency exchange agreements, interest rate protection agreements, and any loans or advances from banks, whether or not evidenced by notes or similar instruments) or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such person or to only a portion thereof) (other than any account payable or other accrued current liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services);

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(2)

all reimbursement obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances;

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(3)

all obligations and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) in respect of leases required, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, to be accounted for as capitalized lease obligations on our balance sheet;

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(4)

all obligations and other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) under any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) in connection with the lease of real property which contractually obligates us to purchase or cause a third party to purchase the leased property and thereby guarantee a minimum residual value of the leased property to the lessor and the obligations of such person under such lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such leased property;

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(5)

all obligations (contingent or otherwise) with respect to an interest rate or other swap, cap or collar agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge, exchange, purchase or similar instrument or agreement;

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(6)

all direct or indirect guaranties or similar agreements in respect of, and obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise), to purchase or otherwise acquire or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of others of the type described in (1) through (5) above;

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(7)

any indebtedness or other obligations described in (1) through (6) above secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien or other encumbrance existing on property which we own or hold, regardless of whether the indebtedness or other obligation secured thereby shall be assumed by us; and

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(8)

any and all refinancings, replacements, deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any indebtedness, obligation or liability of the kind described in clauses (1) through (7) above.

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“Senior indebtedness” means the principal, premium, if any, interest, including any interest accruing after bankruptcy, additional amounts, if any, and rent or termination payment on or other amounts due on our current or future indebtedness, whether created, incurred, assumed, guaranteed or in effect guaranteed by us, including any deferrals, renewals, extensions, refundings, amendments, modifications or supplements to the above. Senior indebtedness does not include:

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indebtedness that expressly provides that it shall not be senior in right of payment to subordinated debt securities or expressly provides that it is on the same basis or junior to subordinated debt securities; and

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our indebtedness to any of our majority-owned subsidiaries.

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Governing Law

Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement applicable to the particular series of debt securities, the indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:

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debt or equity securities issued by us or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices of such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement;

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currencies; or

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commodities.

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Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.

The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. Units may also include debt obligations of a third party. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferable only as, a single security, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units. The statements made in this section relating to the units are summaries only and are not complete. When we issue units, we will provide the specific terms of the units in a prospectus supplement. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

When we issue units, we will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the units being issued when applicable:

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the title of any series of units;

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identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;

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the price or prices at which the units will be issued;

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the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;

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information with respect to any book-entry procedures;

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a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to an investment in the units; and

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any other material terms of the units and their constituent securities.

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SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

Selling shareholders are persons or entities that, directly or indirectly, have acquired or will from time to time acquire from us shares of our common stock in various private transactions. Such selling shareholders may be parties to registration rights agreements with us, or we otherwise may have agreed or will agree to register their securities for resale. The initial purchasers of our securities, as well as their transferees, pledgees, donees or successors, all of whom we refer to as “selling shareholders,” may from time to time offer and sell shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

We are a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, which allows us to register secondary sales of shares of our common stock by any selling shareholder by filing a prospectus supplement with the Commission. We may register these shares to permit selling shareholders to resell their shares when they deem appropriate. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the securities by the selling shareholders, but in certain cases we may pay fees and expenses relating to the registration or an offering of such securities, such as registration and filing fees, fees and expenses for complying with federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and fees and expenses incurred in connection with a listing, if any, of any of the securities on any securities exchange or association.

Selling shareholders may offer for sale all, some portion or none of the securities that they hold. To the extent that any of the selling shareholders are brokers or dealers, they are deemed to be, under interpretations of the SEC, “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act. Selling shareholders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

We do not know when or in what amounts the selling shareholders may offer shares for sale under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the name of each of the selling shareholders, the number and classes of our securities beneficially owned by such selling shareholders that are offered by such prospectus supplement, the amount to be offered for the shareholder’s account, and the amount and (if one percent or more) the percentage of the class to be owned by such shareholder after completion of the offering. The applicable prospectus supplement will also disclose whether any of the selling shareholders has held any position or office with, has been employed by or otherwise has had a material relationship with us during the three years prior to the date of the prospectus supplement.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We and/or any selling shareholders may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:

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directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser;

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through agents;

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to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers; or

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through a combination of these methods.

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In addition, we may enter into option, share lending or other types of transactions that require us to deliver shares of common stock to an underwriter, broker or dealer, who will then resell or transfer the shares of common stock under this prospectus. We may also enter into hedging transactions with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus, or we may also distribute such securities through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants, exchangeable securities, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

Shares of common stock may also be exchanged for satisfaction of the selling shareholders’ obligations or other liabilities to their creditors. Such transactions may or may not involve brokers or dealers.

In addition, the manner in which we and/or any selling shareholders may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus includes, without limitation, through:

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a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;

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purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or

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privately negotiated transactions.

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Any selling shareholder will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale of shares of common stock covered by this prospectus.

A prospectus supplement will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

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the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, agents or other third parties and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;

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the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us and/or the selling shareholders from the sale;

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any delayed delivery arrangements;

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any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

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any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

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The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, the underwriters, any selling shareholders, or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:

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at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

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at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

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at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or

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at negotiated prices.

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Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters or agents may be required to make. Underwriters and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

The selling shareholders might not sell any shares of common stock under this prospectus. In addition, any shares of common stock covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus. The securities may be sold directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth in, the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market other than the common stock which is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities, other than the common stock, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the aggregate maximum discount, commission, agency fees, or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement; however, we anticipate that the maximum commission or discount to be received in any particular offering of securities will be significantly less than this amount.

If at the time of any offering made under this prospectus a member of FINRA participating in the offering has a “conflict of interest” as defined in FINRA’s Rule 5121, or Rule 5121, that offering will be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Rule 5121.

There can be no assurance that we will sell all or any of the securities offered by this prospectus.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities being offered hereby and other certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Alston & Bird LLP, Atlanta, Georgia.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Southside’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and the effectiveness of Southside Bancshares, Inc.’s and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses (all of which will be borne by the registrant) incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions (if any).

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The filing fee shall be deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b) and calculated in connection with the offering of securities under this registration statement pursuant to Rule 457(r).

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**

To be filed by amendment, Rule 424 filing or a Current Report on Form 8-K in connection with an offering of securities hereunder.

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Item 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Generally, Chapter 8 of the Texas Business Organizations Code, or the TBOC, permits a corporation to indemnify a person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding because the person was or is a director or officer if it is determined that such person (1) conducted himself in good faith, (2) reasonably believed (a) in the case of conduct in his official capacity as a director or officer of the corporation, that his conduct was in the corporation’s best interest, or (b) in other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, did not have reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. In addition, the TBOC requires a corporation to indemnify a director or officer for any action that such director or officer is wholly successful in defending on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of the proceeding.

Article Thirteen of the Registrant’s Restated Certificate of Formation limits the liability of directors of the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by Texas statutory or decisional law. The TBOC currently prohibits the elimination of personal liability for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law or for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

The Registrant’s Bylaws provide for indemnification rights to its officers and directors to the fullest extent allowed by Texas law. Pursuant to the TBOC and Article 6 of the Company’s Bylaws, the Registrant will indemnify and, under certain circumstances, advance expenses to, any person who was, is, or is threatened to be named as, a defendant or respondent in a proceeding because that person is or was one of the Registrant’s directors or officers or because that person served at its request as a present or former partner, director, officer, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, administrator or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other organization or employee benefit plan. The Registrant will also pay or reimburse expenses incurred by any director or officer in connection with that person’s appearance as a witness or other participation in a proceeding at a time when that person is not a named defendant or respondent in that proceeding.

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The TBOC authorizes a Texas corporation to purchase and maintain insurance to indemnify and hold harmless an existing or former director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or who is or was serving at the corporation as a representative of another foreign or domestic enterprise, organization or employee benefit plan at the request of the corporation as a partner, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, administrator, or agent, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in such a capacity or arising out of his status as a person in such capacity, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against that liability under Chapter 8 of the TBOC.

Article 6 of the Registrant’s Bylaws authorizes it to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant or is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a partner, director, officer, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, administrator or agent of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other organization or employee benefit plan, against any expense, liability, or loss asserted against and incurred by such person in such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, without regard to whether the Registrant would otherwise have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under Article 6 of the Registrant’s Bylaws or applicable law.

In addition, the Registrant maintains insurance policies, which insures its officers and directors against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 16.   Exhibits

See the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated into this registration statement by reference.

Item 17.   Undertakings.

(a)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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(3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4)   That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i)   Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii)   Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5)   That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)   Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)   Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii)   The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv)   Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the

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event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tyler and State of Texas, on September 12, 2016.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Lee R. Gibson and Julie N. Shamburger his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement (and any post-effective amendments thereto) effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that said attorney-in-fact, agent or his substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

*

To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein.

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