UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.  )

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Peoples Financial Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:

NOTICE IS GIVEN that, pursuant to a call of its Directors, the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Peoples Financial Corporation (the “Company”) will be held in The Swetman Building at The Peoples Bank, Suite 204, 727 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi, 39530, on April 14, 2010, at 7:00 P. M., local time, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following matters:

1.

To elect five (5) Directors to hold office for a term of one (l) year, or until their successors are elected and shall have qualified.

2.

To approve the appointment of Porter Keadle Moore, LLP, as the independent public accountants of the Company.

3.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Only those shareholders of record at the close of business on February 12, 2010, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be Held on April 14, 2010

Pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are providing access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a notice of annual meeting, form of Proxy, 2009 Summary Report and 2009 Annual Report to Shareholders, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet. The notice of annual meeting, proxy statement, proxy card, 2009 Summary Report and 2009 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at https://www.shareholderaccountingsoftware.com/tspweb/peoples/pxsignon.asp. In accordance with the SEC rules, the materials on the site are searchable, readable and printable and the site does not have “cookies” or other tracking devices which identify visitors.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY. IF YOU DO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON. THE PROXY ALSO MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY OR BY EXECUTION OF A SUBSEQUENTLY DATED PROXY.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Chevis C. Swetman
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Biloxi, Mississippi
March 11, 2010

PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

I. General

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Peoples Financial Corporation (the “Company”) of Proxies for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held in The Swetman Building at The Peoples Bank, Suite 204, 727 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi, 39530, on April 14, 2010, at 7:00 P.M., local time, and any adjournment thereof, for the purposes stated in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The foregoing address is also the address of the principal executive offices of the Company.

Shareholders of record of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Common Stock”), at the close of business on February 12, 2010 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. On the Record Date, the Company had outstanding 5,151,697 shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A majority of the outstanding shares constitutes a quorum. Except in the election of directors, each share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on each matter presented at the Annual Meeting for Shareholder approval. Action on a matter is approved if the votes cast in favor of the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action. Abstentions are counted for purposes of determining a quorum, but are otherwise not counted.

Any person giving a Proxy has the right to revoke it at any time before it is exercised. A shareholder may revoke his Proxy (l) by revoking it in person at the Annual Meeting, (2) by written notification to the Secretary of the Company which is received prior to the exercise of the Proxy, or (3) by a subsequent Proxy presented to the Company prior to the exercise of the Proxy. All properly executed Proxies, if not revoked, will be voted as directed. If the shareholder does not direct to the contrary, the shares will be voted “FOR” the nominees listed thereon and “FOR” each of the proposals described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Solicitation of Proxies will be primarily by mail. Officers, directors, and employees of The Peoples Bank (hereinafter referred to as the “Bank”) also may solicit Proxies personally. The Company will reimburse brokers and other persons holding shares in their names, or in the names of nominees, for the expense of transmitting Proxy materials. The cost of soliciting Proxies will be borne by the Company.

The Board of Directors is not aware of any matters other than as set forth herein which are likely to be brought before the meeting. If other matters do come before the meeting, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy or their substitutes will vote the shares represented by such Proxies in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Company.

II. Corporate Governance

General

The Company has a long-standing commitment to strong corporate governance practices. The practices provide an important framework within which our Board of Directors and Management can pursue the strategic objectives of the Company and ensure the long-term vitality for the benefit of our shareholders. The cornerstone of our practices is an independent and qualified board of directors. All directors are elected annually by the shareholders, and the voting membership of all board committees are composed entirely of independent directors. The Company’s Code of Conduct, which is posted on its website, www.thepeoples.com, applies to all directors, officers and employees.

Board independence

The Board of Directors believes that a majority of its members should be independent as defined by NASDAQ listing standards.

Board Composition

The Company’s Nominating Committee Charter defines the criteria for selecting individuals to be nominated for election to the Board of Directors. It is the Company’s intention that all nominees, including those recommended by shareholders, be considered using this same criteria. Further, it is the Company’s intention that the minimum qualifications for nominees be those individuals who have an understanding of the Company’s role in the local economy and who have demonstrated integrity and good business judgment. The Committee is encouraged to consider geographic and demographic diversity among candidates with financial, regulatory and/or business experience, but not so as to compromise the goal of attracting the most qualified individual candidates.

Director Nomination

Since the Company was founded in 1984, there has never been a conflict or dispute regarding director nominations. Accordingly, the Company does not feel that it is necessary at this time to provide a process whereby nominations may be made directly to the Nominating Committee, and this committee does not have a policy for considering candidates recommended by shareholders. However, in accordance with the Company’s by-laws, shareholders may make nominations for election to the Board by delivering written nominations to the Company’s President not less than 14 days or not more than 50 days prior to the meeting when the election is to be held. If the Company does not give at least 21 days notice of the meeting, shareholders are allowed to make nominations by mailing or delivering same to the President not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting is mailed. The Company welcomes nominations from its shareholders; however, nominations not made in accordance with the by-laws may be disregarded by the Chairman of the meeting. The Company has never received nominations from shareholders.

Shareholder nominations shall include 1) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, 2) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, 3) the number of shares of the Company’s common stock which are beneficially owned by the nominee, 4) written consent from the potential nominee, and 5) other information relating to the nominee that may be required under federal law and regulations governing such interests. The written notice shall also include the 1) name and address of the shareholder making the nomination, and 2) the number of shares of the Company’s common stock which are beneficially owned by the shareholder making the nomination.

Of the five directors recommended for election at the 2010 Annual Meeting, all nominees were elected as directors at our 2009 meeting.

Board Attendance

There were six meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company held during 2009. All directors attended 75% or more of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by the committees on which they served.

The Board of Directors, at its discretion, meets on a periodic basis in executive session with only non-employee directors in attendance.

The Company does not have a written policy that members of the Board of Directors attend the annual meeting of shareholders, but they are encouraged to do so. Three of the directors of the Company were in attendance at the 2009 annual meeting.

Board Leadership

The Chairman leads the Board of Directors and oversees board meetings and the delivery of information necessary for the Board of Directors’ informed decision-making. The Chairman also serves as the principal liaison between the Board of Directors and our Management. The Board of Directors determines whether the role of the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer should be separated or combined based on its judgment as to the structure that best serves the interests of the Company. Currently, the Board of Directors believes that the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be held by the same person as this combination has served and is serving the Company well by providing unified leadership and direction. The Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors is designated as the lead independent director and calls and presides over executive sessions of the Board of Directors.

Board Committees

The Company has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee.

The Company has an Audit Committee, which is currently composed of independent directors Drew Allen, Rex E. Kelly and Dan Magruder. The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Drew Allen is an audit committee financial expert as that term is defined in pertinent SEC regulations. The Board based its determination on the experience of Mr. Allen as the chief executive officer of his company. Mr. Allen also serves as chairman of the Audit Committee, which met seven times during 2009. The Audit Committee may, from time to time, call upon certain advisors or consultants as it deems necessary. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to its Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee submits its report to the shareholders at Section XI below. The Audit Committee’s Charter is available for review on the Company’s website at www.thepeoples.com.

The Compensation Committee determines the salary and benefits for the executive officers of the Company. The Committee, composed of independent Company directors Drew Allen, Rex E. Kelly and Dan Magruder and non-voting member Chevis C. Swetman, met two times during 2009 to review the executive officers’ performance and consider bonuses for the preceding year and salaries for the upcoming year. Mr. Kelly serves as chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee submits its report to the shareholders at Section VI. The Compensation Committee’s Charter is available for review on the Company’s website at www.thepeoples.com.

The Company has a Nominating Committee composed of independent directors Drew Allen, Rex E. Kelly and Dan Magruder. Mr. Magruder serves as chairman of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee acts pursuant to a charter which is available on the Company’s website www.thepeoples.com. The Nominating Committee met one time during 2009 and one time during 2010 to nominate individuals to stand for election as directors of the Company.

Board’s Role in Risk Management

Risk is an integral part of the deliberations of the Board of Directors and its committees throughout the year. The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors annually review the Company’s risk assessments, considering management’s plan for mitigating these risks. The Board receives monthly written reports relating to the Company’s risk management and meets at its discretion on a periodic basis with the Chief Risk Officer and other members of Management as well as the Auditor, Compliance Officer and Loan Review Officer.

Shareholder Communication

The Company has implemented a shareholder communication process to facilitate communications between shareholders and the Board of Directors. Any shareholder of the Company who wishes to communicate with the Board of Directors, a committee of the Board, the independent directors as a group, or any individual member of the Board, may send correspondence to Greg M. Batia, Vice President and Auditor, P. O. Box 1172, Biloxi, MS 39533-1172, or at his e-mail address: gbatia@thepeoples.com. Mr. Batia will compile and submit on a periodic basis all shareholder correspondence to the entire Board of Directors, or, if and as designated in the communication, to a committee of the Board, the independent directors as a group or an individual Board member.

III. Election of Directors

The following nominees have been designated by the Nominating Committee and are proposed by the Board of Directors for election at the Annual Meeting. The shares represented by properly executed Proxies will, unless authority to vote is withheld, be voted in favor of these persons. In the election of directors, each shareholder may vote his shares cumulatively by multiplying the number of shares he is entitled to vote by the number of directors to be elected. This product shall be the number of votes the shareholder may cast for one nominee or by distributing this number of votes among any number of nominees. If a shareholder withholds authority for one or more nominees and does not direct otherwise, the total number of votes that the shareholder is entitled to cast will be distributed equally among the remaining nominees. Should any of these nominees be unable to accept the nomination, the shares voted in favor of the nominee will be voted for such other persons as the Board of Directors shall nominate. Each director is elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualified.

The persons who will be elected to the Board of Directors will be the five nominees receiving the largest number of votes.

A majority of the persons nominated are independent as defined in the NASDAQ listing standards. No family relationship exists between any director, executive officer or person nominated to become a director of the Company with the exception of Messrs. Page and Swetman, who are cousins.

None of the persons nominated held directorship at any time during the past five years at any public company, with the exception of the Company, or registered investment company.

Drew Allen

Mr. Allen, age 58, has served as an independent director of the Company since 1996 and of the Bank since 1993. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Marketing from Mississippi State University. Mr. Allen is President of Allen Beverages, Inc., a beverage distributor headquartered in Gulfport, MS. He holds numerous leadership positions in professional, civic and charitable organizations on both a local and state level and has received regional and local recognition for his service. The Company believes that Mr. Allen’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his executive leadership and management experience.

Rex E. Kelly

Mr. Kelly, age 62, has served as an independent director of the Company since 2002 and of the Bank since 1996. Until his retirement in 2005, he was the Director of Corporate Communications of Mississippi Power Company, a subsidiary of The Southern Company, Gulfport, MS. Mr. Kelly earned his Bachelor of Science degree in American Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi and has held leadership positions in professional, civic and community organizations and has received national and regional recognition for outstanding leadership. He is currently a Senior Counselor with The Hawthorn Group, consulting in the area of strategic communications/corporate and public relations. The Company believes that Mr. Kelly’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his corporate strategy, communications and organizational acumen.

Dan Magruder

Mr. Magruder, age 62, has served as an independent director of the Company since 2000 and of the Bank since 1993 and has also served as Vice Chairman of the Company board since 2003. Mr. Magruder earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from Vanderbilt University. During his service in the U.S. Navy, he attended the Navy Nuclear Power School, Nuclear Submarine Prototype School and Submarine School. Subsequently, Mr. Magruder assumed executive positions with several organizations before joining Rex Distributing Co., Inc., a beverage distributor headquartered in Gulfport, MS, as president in 1987. Mr. Magruder has provided leadership to a variety of professional, civic and charitable organizations. The Company believes that Mr. Magruder’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his executive leadership and management experience.

Lyle M. Page

Mr. Page, age 78, has served as a director of the Company since 2000 and of the Bank since 1973. He is a founding partner in the law firm of Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott, PLLC, headquartered in Biloxi, MS. Mr. Page attended the University of Southern Mississippi and earned his law degree from Tulane University. During his career, he has held leadership positions with a number of professional, community and civic organizations. The Company believes that Mr. Page’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his vast experience in providing legal expertise to the Company and his many other clients during his long career, as well as the deep understanding of the Company’s business, employees and customers that he has acquired over 37 years of service on the Bank Board.

Chevis C. Swetman

Mr. Swetman, age 61, has served as a director of the Company since 1984 and of the Bank since 1975. He has served as Chairman of the Company since 1994. Mr. Swetman is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank and has been employed with the Bank since 1971. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Finance degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to his role with the Company, Mr. Swetman has been recognized numerous times for his leadership in professional, civic and community organizations. The Company believes that Mr. Swetman’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his 39 years of experience in banking, including as Chairman for 16 years.

IV. Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof

On February 12, 2010, the Company had outstanding 5,151,697 shares of its Common Stock, $1.00 par value, owned by approximately 563 shareholders. The following is certain information about the shareholders beneficially owning more than five percent of the outstanding shares of the Company.

		Amount and Nature of
Name & Address of Beneficial Owner		Beneficial Ownership				Percent of Class
Ella Mae Barq			484,891				9.41	%
P. O. Box 1347 Biloxi, MS 39533-1347
Peoples Financial Corporation Employee			447,315				8.68	%
Stock Ownership Plan (1) P. O. Box 529 Biloxi, MS 39533-0529
Andrew Tanner Swetman (2)			352,319				6.84	%
P. O. Box 529 Biloxi, MS 39533-0529
Chevis C. Swetman (3)			845,686				16.42	%
P. O. Box 529 Biloxi, MS 39533-0529

V. Ownership of Equity Securities by Directors and Executive Officers

The table below sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock as of February 12, 2010, by persons who are currently serving as directors, persons nominated for election at the Annual Meeting and all executive officers named in Section VI hereof. Also shown is the ownership by all directors and executive officers as a group. The persons listed have sole voting and dispositive power as to all shares except as indicated. Percent of outstanding shares of Common Stock owned is not shown where less than one percent.

Beneficial Ownership of Equity Securities by Directors and Executive Officers

		Amount and Nature				Percent of
		of Beneficial Ownership				Outstanding Shares
		of Common Stock				of Common Stock
Drew Allen			5,440
A. Wes Fulmer			6,468	(1) (2)
Ann F. Guice			13,659	(1) (3)
Rex E. Kelly			1,924
Dan Magruder			6,976	(4)
Lyle M. Page			92,179	(5)			1.79	%
Jeannette E. Romero			13,870	(1) (6)
Thomas J. Sliman			19,272	(1) (7)
Chevis C. Swetman			845,686	(1) (8)			16.42	%
Robert M. Tucei			24,562	(1) (9)
J. Patrick Wild			4,989	(1) (10)
Lauri A. Wood			6,436	(1) (11)
All directors and executive officers of the Company			1,041,461				20.22	%

VI. Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The Compensation Committee determines the salaries, bonuses and all other compensation of the named executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table on page 15 of this Proxy Statement, including the Chief Executive Officer. The Committee is also charged with ensuring that policies and practices are in place to facilitate the development of the Company’s management talent, ensure management succession and enhance the Company’s corporate governance and social responsibility.

A. Guiding Philosophy and Objectives:

The Compensation Committee’s guiding philosophy is to attract and retain highly qualified executives, to motivate them to maximize long-term shareholder value while balancing both short-term and long-term objectives, and to pay for performance. The following objectives serve as guiding principles for all compensation decisions:

	•		Provide reasonable levels of total compensation that will enable the Company to attract, retain, and motivate high caliber executives who are capable of optimizing and maintaining the Company’s performance for the benefit of its shareholders.
	•		Maintain executive compensation that is fair and consistent with the Company’s size and the compensation practices of the financial services industry.
	•		Provide compensation plans that align with the objective of maintaining the ideals of a community bank offering the highest quality products and services to its customers.
	•		Align compensation bonus opportunities with long-term shareholder interests by making the payment of bonuses dependent on the Company’s performance with respect to Return on Assets (“ROA”).
	•		Provide an incentive for personal performance by allocation of discretionary additional bonus opportunities dependent on the executive’s individual performance.

B. Responsibility of the Compensation Committee:

The primary responsibility of the Compensation Committee is to aid the Board in discharging its duties by recommending to the full Board the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers of the company.

C. Role of Executive Officers:

The Chief Executive Officer is a non-voting member of the Compensation Committee and meets with the other committee members to discuss executive performance and compensation. The Executive Vice President attends each meeting of the Compensation Committee and presents his insights and suggestions. The Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer each provide information and analysis to the Compensation Committee that is used in determining the named executive officers’ compensation.

D. Consultants, Experts and/or Other Advisors:

The Compensation Committee has been authorized by the Board of Directors to engage consultants, experts, and/or other advisors that are knowledgeable regarding compensation practices within the financial services industry. The hiring of such consultants is at the discretion of the Committee. The Company did not engage consultants, experts or other advisors in establishing compensation for 2009.

E. Factors used to Determine Compensation:

The Committee’s considerations consist of, but are not limited to, analysis of the following factors: financial performance of the Company, including ROA, return on equity, and management of assets, liabilities, capital, and risk. Additionally, the Compensation Committee uses annual compensation surveys to compare the compensation of positions in similar financial institutions of comparable asset size. Specifically, the BAI Bank Cash Compensation Survey and the Mississippi Bankers Association Salary Survey are used as reference material in evaluating the compensation of the named executive officers; however, the Company does not benchmark compensation to any specific company or companies.

In determining total compensation, the Committee also considers the performance of the individual named executive officers in areas such as: the scope of responsibility of the executive; leadership within the Company, the community, and the financial services industry; achievement of work goals; and whether the Company, under the executive’s leadership, has been a good corporate citizen while enhancing shareholder value.

All of these factors are considered in the context of the complexity and the difficulty of managing business risks in the prevailing economic conditions and regulatory environment. The analysis is conducted with respect to each of the executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer.

F. Compensation Components:

The named executive officers’ total compensation package includes several components. The Company rewards current performance and achievement of short-term goals primarily through salaries and bonuses. Other deferred compensation elements, including the Executive Supplemental Income Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan, are designed to meet long-term objectives including retaining high-performing executives and to plan for management succession as well as to reward loyalty.

Salaries

Salaries are the foundation of each named executive officer’s total compensation package and are normally the largest single component. Salary is the only guaranteed cash payment a named executive officer receives. The Company’s goal is to provide an assured level of cash compensation in the form of salary to attract and retain high caliber executives. Job specific knowledge and experience as well as leadership ability are recognized with salary.

In establishing the salary of the Chief Executive Officer for 2009, the Committee primarily considered Mr. Swetman’s performance and the performance of the Company during 2008 and the compensation levels of chief executive officers of comparable financial institutions. In considering the performance of the Company, the Committee considered the Company’s ROA and asset growth, but utilized no objective criteria. The Committee utilized asset size peer group compensation data as provided by the Mississippi Bankers Association (“MBA”) and the Bank Administration Institute (“BAI”).

For other named executive officers, the Committee’s recommendation concerning salaries was based upon the compensation levels of executive officers of comparable financial institutions, the performance of the Company during 2008 and the individual performance of these named executive officers. The performance of the Company for purposes of establishing salaries was evaluated based on ROA. Individual performance was measured using criteria such as level of job responsibility, achievement of work goals and management skills. The Committee also considered asset size peer group compensation data as provided by the MBA and BAI for executive officers with similar duties and responsibilities.

After considering all of these factors, the Committee chose to freeze the salaries in 2009 for the Chief Executive Officer and all other named executive officers due to the performance of the Company and

economic conditions in which it operates. Salaries for 2009 differ from 2008 as raises for 2008 were not effective until February 22, 2008. The exception to this decision was with respect to the salary for the Chief Financial Officer. For 2009, the Compensation Committee increased the salary for the Chief Financial Officer by 4.80% to recognize the responsibilities of this position and better align the salary with salaries for this position at banking institutions in Mississippi.

Bonuses

The Compensation Committee awards bonuses based upon pre-determined performance objectives. Bonuses are generally the other cash component paid to named executive officers on an annual basis. The Chief Executive Officer and all other named executive officers are eligible to receive a bonus which is based on the financial performance of the company. The specific formula and pre-determined goals were established by the Compensation Committee using the Company’s ROA. The bonus calculation, which is approved by the Compensation Committee, allows the executive officer to earn up to a maximum percentage of their salary on established ROA targets. The targets and bonus calculations as a percentage of salary and targets are:

		Base				Base + 1				Base + 2				Base + 3				Maximum
ROA Target			.670	%			.800	%			.925	%			1.050	%			1.175	%
Chief Executive Officer			15.000	%			18.750	%			22.500	%			26.250	%			30.000	%
Executive Vice President			12.500	%			15.630	%			18.750	%			21.880	%			25.000	%
All Other Named Executive Officers			10.000	%			12.500	%			15.000	%			17.500	%			20.000	%

The Compensation Committee may, at its discretion, also recommend to the Board that the executive officers receive an additional bonus which is determined on a subjective basis. If this additional subjective bonus is recommended, the Committee documents its actions in their minutes. No performance based or discretionary bonuses were awarded to executive officers for 2009 due to the performance of the Company.

Executive Supplemental Income Plan

The Company maintains an Executive Supplemental Income Plan (“ESI”) which provides executives with salary continuation benefits upon their retirement, or death benefits to their named beneficiary in the event of their death. Executives of the Company and the Bank are selected to participate in the plan at the discretion of the Board of Directors. All named executive officers of the Company have been selected to participate in the plan. ESI benefits are based upon position and salary of the named executive officer at retirement, disability or death. Normal retirement benefits under the plan are equal to 67% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer, 58% of salary for the Executive Vice President and 50% of salary for the other named executives at the time of normal retirement, and are payable monthly over a period of 15 years. The ESI is administered by Clark Consulting, who also provides guidance to the Company relating to the valuation method and assumptions.

The ESI was established in 1988, at which time Mrs. Romero, and Messrs. Swetman and Tucei became participants. Miss Wood and Mr. Fulmer became participants after their date of hire at the discretion of the Board.

Benefits are also available in the event of death, disability, or early retirement. Under early retirement provisions, if separation from service occurs on or after the early retirement date and prior to the normal retirement date, the Company will pay the named executive officer a reduced benefit. The annual benefit set forth for normal retirement will be reduced by one-half percent (0.5%) for each month or partial month between separation from service and the normal retirement date. The benefit will be paid monthly over a period of 15 years. Benefits will commence on the last day of the month following the named executive officer’s separation from service. The early retirement date means the date the named executive officer attains at least age 55, has at least 15 years of employment at the Company, and has participated in this plan for a minimum of five years. The normal retirement date means the date the named executive officer attains age 65. As of December 31, 2009, Mrs. Romero and Messrs. Swetman and Tucei are the only named executive officers eligible to receive early retirement benefits, under the ESI.

If separation from service occurs prior to the early retirement date or prior to the normal retirement date, the Company will pay the named executive officer his or her executive benefit accrual balance as of his or her separation from service. The benefit will be paid in a single lump-sum within 60 days of separation from service. As of December 31, 2009, Miss Wood and Mr. Fulmer are the only named executive officers eligible to receive this benefit.

If a named executive officer becomes disabled prior to the normal retirement date, the Company will pay the named executive officer his or her annual benefit as defined under normal retirement. The benefit will begin the last day of the month commencing with the month following the named executive officer’s normal retirement date and the benefits will be paid monthly over a period of 15 years.

If the named executive officer dies prior to early retirement, normal retirement or disability, the named executive officer’s named beneficiary is entitled to full benefits under the ESI. If the named executive officer dies while receiving benefits, the named beneficiary is entitled to the remainder of any unpaid benefits.

Upon a change of control prior to separation from service, the Company will pay the named executive officer his or her annual benefit as defined under normal retirement. The benefit will begin the last day of the month commencing with the month following the named executive officer’s normal retirement date, or, for named executive officers who have already attained their normal retirement date, their separation from service, and the benefits will be paid monthly over a period of 15 years.

Each named executive officers’ agreement under the ESI may be terminated by the Company. In the event the named executive officer’s agreement under the ESI is terminated, the Company will pay the named executive officer his or her executive accrual balance as of the termination of the agreement, or, if a change of control has occurred, the normal retirement benefit. The benefit will begin on the first date allowable under the ESI and the benefit will be paid over a period of 15 years, or, in some special circumstances, paid in one lump sum.

If any amount is required to be included in the income of a named executive officer due to a failure of his or her ESI agreement to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, the named executive officer may petition the plan administrator for a distribution of that portion of his or her executive benefit accrual that is required to be included in the named executive officer’s income. Upon the grant of such a petition, which will not be unreasonably withheld, the Company will distribute to the named executive officer an amount equal to the portion of the executive benefit accrual required to be included in his or her income, which amount cannot exceed the named executive officer’s unpaid executive benefit accrual. Any distribution will affect and reduce the named executive officer’s benefits to be paid under his or her ESI agreement.

The benefits will be paid out of the general assets of the Company. The Company has elected to purchase life insurance contracts, more specifically Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”), each of which it may use as a source to fund these future benefits. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of these life insurance policies, which is a general asset of the Company.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company maintains a Deferred Compensation Plan for those executives of the Bank holding the title of vice president, senior vice president or executive vice president and approved for participation in the plan by the Board of Directors. Except for the Chief Executive Officer, all named executive officers participated in the plan in 2009. The plan provides each named executive officer a fixed benefit upon his or her early retirement, normal retirement or disability, or a death benefit to a named beneficiary in the event of the named executive officer’s death. The benefit under the plan is $100,000, payable monthly over a 15 year period, upon the named executive officer’s early retirement, normal retirement or disability and, in the event of a named executive officer’s death, the benefits will be paid to his or her beneficiary. Should the named executive officer separate from service prior to his or her early retirement, normal retirement, disability or death, he or she forfeits all benefits under the plan. In addition, if within three years following his or her separation from service, a named executive officer becomes engaged in the banking business within a certain geographic area around the Company, the named executive officer will forfeit all benefits under the plan.

The Company has purchased life insurance contracts which it may use as a source to fund these future benefits. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of these life insurance policies, which is a general asset of the Company.

The Deferred Compensation Plan was established in 1992, at which time Miss Wood, Mrs. Romero and Mr. Tucei became participants. Mr. Fulmer became a participant in 1996 when he was promoted to Vice President of the Bank.

If separation from service occurs prior to a named executive officer’s normal retirement date, the named executive officer will be entitled to full benefits provided he or she has met the early retirement eligibility. The early retirement date means the date the named executive officer attains at least age 55 and has at least 10 years of employment at the Company. The normal retirement date means the date the named executive officer attains age 65. As of December 31, 2009, Mrs. Romero and Mr. Tucei are the only named executive officers eligible to receive benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

If a named executive officer becomes disabled, he or she is entitled to full benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

If the named executive officer dies prior to early retirement, normal retirement or disability, the named executive officer’s named beneficiary is entitled to full benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan. If the named executive officer dies while receiving benefits, the named beneficiary is entitled to the remainder of any unpaid benefits.

In the event of a change of control, unless the Deferred Compensation Plan is terminated by the transferee, purchaser or successor entity within 120 days of the change of control, no named executive officer will be entitled to a distribution under this plan as a result of the change in control. If the Deferred Compensation Plan is terminated within 120 days of a change of control, then each named executive officer will become immediately eligible to receive the present value of his or her benefits under this plan. In addition, in the event the Deferred Compensation Plan is continued but a named executive officer is involuntarily terminated within 180 days of a change of control, the terminated named executive officer will be eligible to receive his or her benefits under this plan. Such benefits will be calculated by taking the present value of the benefits provided and such benefits will be paid in a lump sum within 180 days of the change in control.

Split-Dollar Agreement

The Company owns endorsement split-dollar policies, of which the Bank is the owner and beneficiary, which provide a guaranteed death benefit of $150,000 to the Chief Executive Officer’s beneficiaries. Beginning on January 1, 2008, the Company was required to accrue the post-retirement benefit over the service period for deferred compensation plans funded through endorsement split-dollar life insurance. Accordingly, 2008 is the first year for which the Company has accrued a liability for this benefit.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

The Company maintains an Employee Stock Ownership Plan covering all eligible employees of the Company.

The Board determines the total contribution to the Plan, which is allocated to all participants based on their compensation.

401(k) Plan

The Company maintains a 401(k) Plan in which eligible employees of the Company may choose to participate. The Board determines the formula for the matching contribution to the Plan, which is currently 75% of the employee’s contribution (up to 6% of compensation).

G. Accounting and Tax Treatment:

While the Compensation Committee considers the accounting and tax implications in the design of the compensation program, this has not had a significant impact in their decision-making process.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the Company has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement. Based on the Committee’s review of and the discussions with management with respect to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for filing with the SEC.

This report is presented by the Compensation Committee, consisting of the following persons:

Rex E. Kelly, Chairman		Drew Allen		Dan Magruder		Chevis C. Swetman (non-voting)

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation

During 2009, no executive officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board or committee performing similar functions) or the board of directors of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation Committee or board of directors of the Company.

Chevis C. Swetman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, serves as a non-voting member of the Compensation Committee. The independent members of the Committee meet in executive session, outside of the presence of management, to consider and decide on the compensation for all executive officers of the Company. There are no employment contracts with the executive officers.

Summary Compensation Table

The Summary Compensation Table below displays the total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the named executive officers for 2009, 2008 and 2007.

														Change in
														Pension Value
														and Nonqualified				All Other
														Compensation				Compensation
Name and Principal Position		Year				Salary				Bonus				Earnings (2)				(1)				Total
Chevis C. Swetman			2009			$	270,000			$				$	205,360			$	12,386			$	487,746
President and Chief Executive			2008				268,902				30,375				233,047				10,972				543,296
Officer			2007				255,756				59,577				189,940				11,157				516,430
Lauri A. Wood			2009				128,846								34,364				7,381				170,591
Chief Financial Officer			2008				123,181				9,300				29,893				7,606				169,980
			2007				115,454				28,643				26,826				7,819				178,742
A. Wes Fulmer			2009				158,000								52,975				8,754				219,729
Executive Vice President			2008				156,265				14,813				48,088				9,049				228,214
			2007				140,629				32,080				41,960				8,604				223,273
Jeannette E. Romero			2009				121,000								94,762				6,579				222,341
Second Vice President			2008				120,382				9,075				92,309				7,157				228,922
			2007				114,826				28,643				85,939				7,160				236,567
Robert M. Tucei			2009				121,000								80,996				6,580				208,576
Vice President			2008				120,382				9,075				74,459				7,159				211,075
			2007				114,826				28,643				71,658				7,148				222,275

Pension Benefits Table

The Pension Benefits Table below presents information on the ESI, Deferred Compensation Plan and Split Dollar Agreement, as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 for the named executive officers.

						Number of
						Years				Present Value of
						Credited				Accumulated
Name and Principal Position		Year		Plan Name		Service				Benefit
Chevis C. Swetman		2009		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			21			$	1,258,292
President and Chief				Split Dollar Agreement			7				31,017
Executive Officer
		2008		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			20				1,054,734
				Split Dollar Agreement			6				29,215
		2007		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			19				850,902
Lauri A. Wood		2009		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			17				146,834
Chief Financial Officer				Deferred Compensation Plan			15				12,170
		2008		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			16				116,200
				Deferred Compensation Plan			14				8,440
		2007		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			15				87,911
				Deferred Compensation Plan			13				6,836
A. Wes Fulmer		2009		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			14				211,485
Executive Vice				Deferred Compensation Plan			13				13,818
President
		2008		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			13				163,605
				Deferred Compensation Plan			12				8,723
		2007		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			12				116,975
				Deferred Compensation Plan			11				7,266
Jeannette E. Romero		2009		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			21				556,902
Second Vice President				Deferred Compensation Plan			15				63,343
		2008		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			20				473,448
				Deferred Compensation Plan			14				52,035
		2007		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			19				384,617
				Deferred Compensation Plan			13				48,557
Robert M. Tucei		2009		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			21				477,061
Vice President				Deferred Compensation Plan			15				54,267
		2008		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			20				405,434
				Deferred Compensation Plan			14				44,898
		2007		Executive Supplemental Income Agreement			19				332,352
				Deferred Compensation Plan			13				43,521

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table below reflects activity during 2009, 2008 and 2007 for each of the named executive officers.

						Registrant				Aggregate				Aggregate
						Contributions for				Earnings for the				Balance at
Name and Principal Position		Year				the Year (4)				Year (4)				December 31,
Chevis C. Swetman			2009			$	134,736			$	68,822			$	1,258,292	(1)
President and Chief Executive Officer			2009				1,802								31,017	(3)
			2008				147,228				56,604				1,054,734	(1)
			2008				29,215								29,215	(3)
			2007				145,116				44,824				850,902	(1)
Lauri A. Wood			2009				22,824				7,810				146,834	(1)
Chief Financial Officer			2009				3,730								12,170	(2)
			2008				22,248				6,041				116,200	(1)
			2008				1,604								8,440	(2)
			2007				21,372				4,427				87,911	(1)
			2007				1,027								6,836	(2)
A. Wes Fulmer			2009				36,756				11,124				211,485	(1)
Executive Vice President			2009				5,095								13,818	(2)
			2008				38,340				8,290				163,605	(1)
			2008				1,458								8,723	(2)
			2007				34,980				5,690				116,975	(1)
			2007				1,290								7,266	(2)
Jeannette E. Romero			2009				52,776				30,678				556,902	(1)
Second Vice President			2009				11,308								63,343	(2)
			2008				63,336				25,495				473,448	(1)
			2008				3,478								52,035	(2)
			2007				59,916				20,436				384,617	(1)
			2007				5,587								48,557	(2)
Robert M. Tucei			2009				45,348				26,279				477,061	(1)
Vice President			2009				9,369								54,267	(2)
			2008				51,156				21,926				405,434	(1)
			2008				1,377								44,898	(2)
			2007				48,900				17,750				332,352	(1)
			2007				5,008								43,521	(2)

Estimated Payments from the Executive Supplemental Income Plan

The table below indicates the amount of compensation payable to each named executive officer under the Executive Supplemental Income Plan, as applicable upon different termination events. The amounts shown assume a termination date of December 31, 2009 and present total amounts for each scenario.

																																						Pre-
						Early Termination								Early Retirement								Disability								Change in Control								Retirement
						Lump Sum Benefit								Annual Benefit								Annual Benefit								Annual Benefit								Death
						Amount Payable at								Amount Payable At								Amount Payable at								Amount Payable at								Benefit
Termination Event						Separation From								Separation from								Normal Retirement								Normal Retirement								Annual
Method of Payment (2)						Service								Service								Age								Age								Benefit
Name and Principal		Benefit								Based On								Based On								Based On								Based On				Based On
Position		Level (1)				Vesting				Accrual				Vesting				Benefit				Vesting				Benefit				Vesting				Benefit				Benefit
Chevis C. Swetman		$	180,900							$					81	%		$	146,529				100	%		$	180,900				100	%		$	180,900			$	180,900
President & Chief Executive Officer
Lauri A. Wood			65,000				100	%			146,834				0	%							100	%			65,000				100	%			65,000				65,000
Chief Financial Officer
A. Wes Fulmer			91,640				100	%			211,485				0	%							100	%			91,640				100	%			91,640				91,640
Executive Vice President
Jeannette E. Romero			60,500												97	%			58,383				100	%			60,500				100	%			60,500				60,500
Second Vice President
Robert M. Tucei			60,500												89	%			53,543				100	%			60,500				100	%			60,500				60,500
Vice President

Estimated Payments from the Deferred Compensation Plan

The table below indicates the amount of compensation payable to each named executive officer under the Deferred Compensation Plan, as applicable upon different termination events. The amounts shown assume a termination date of December 31, 2009 and present total amounts for each scenario.

																																						Pre-
														Early Retirement																Change in Control								Retirement
														Total Benefit								Disability								Lump Sum Benefit								Death
														Amount Payable at								Annual Benefit								Amount Payable at								Benefit
														Separation from								Amount Payable at								Separation From								Total
						Early Termination								Service								Disability								Service								Benefit
Termination Event		Benefit								Based On								Based On								Based On								Based On				Based On
Method of Payment (2)		Level (1)				Vesting				Accrual				Vesting				Benefit				Vesting				Benefit				Vesting				Accrual				Benefit
Lauri A. Wood		$	100,000				0	%		$					0	%		$					100	%		$	100,000				100	%		$	12,170			$	100,000
Chief Financial Officer
A. Wes Fulmer			100,000				0	%							0	%							100	%			100,000				100	%			13,818				100,000
Executive Vice President
Jeannette E. Romero			100,000												100	%			100,000				100	%			100,000				100	%			63,343				100,000
Second Vice President
Robert M. Tucei			100,000												100	%			100,000				100	%			100,000				100	%			54,267				100,000
Vice President

Directors’ Compensation

During 2009, directors who are employees of the Bank did not receive any compensation for serving on the Board of the Bank or the Company or on any Board committee. All non-employee directors received an annual retainer of $3,500. Non-employee directors additionally receive $500 per board meeting attended and $300 per committee meeting attended. The chairman of the audit committee received $500 per audit committee meeting attended. The chairman of all other committees received $400 per committee meeting attended.

The Company offers a Directors’ Deferred Income Plan whereby directors of the Company and the Bank are given an opportunity to defer receipt of their annual director’s fees until age sixty-five. For those who choose to participate, benefits are payable monthly for 10 years beginning on the first day of the month following the later of the director’s normal retirement age or separation from service. Normal retirement age is 65. The amount of the benefit will vary depending on the fees the director has deferred and the length of time the fees have been deferred. Interest on deferred fees accrues at an annual rate of 10%, compounded annually. After payments have commenced, interest accrues at an annual rate of 7.50%, compounded monthly. In the event of the director’s death, benefits are payable to the director’s named beneficiary. The Company has purchased life insurance contracts which it may use as a source to fund these future benefits. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of these life insurance policies, which is a general asset of the Company.

The Company also offers an Outside Directors’ Supplemental Income Plan to provide a benefit to its non-employee directors. The benefit is based upon the age of the Outside Director upon his appointment to the board. Directors Drew Allen and Dan Magruder are entitled to receive $5,000 annually for 10 years and Directors Rex E. Kelly and Lyle M. Page are entitled to receive $4,000 annually for 10 years. The benefit is payable upon the later of the Outside Director’s attainment of age sixty-five or cessation of service as a director. An Outside Director must serve as an Outside Director until the earlier of his death or ten (10) consecutive years as an Outside Director to be entitled to any benefit. In the event of the death of the Outside Director, their beneficiary shall receive a death benefit totaling the remainder of benefits due the Outside Director. The death benefit will be paid in a single lump sum within 90 days following the Outside Director’s death. The Company has purchased life insurance contracts which it may use as a source to fund these future benefits. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of these life insurance policies, which is a general asset of the Company.

Director Compensation Table

The Director Compensation Table below presents information on fees earned or paid to directors in 2009, 2008 and 2007.

										Change in Pension
										Value and Nonqualified
						Fees Earned or				Deferred Compensation
Name		Year				Paid In Cash				Earnings				Total
Drew Allen			2009			$	24,300			$	13,416			$	37,716
			2008				21,000				13,358				34,358
			2007				22,600				7,010				29,610
Rex E. Kelly			2009				23,300				17,151				40,451
			2008				18,800				12,421				31,221
			2007				23,600				10,920				34,520
Dan Magruder			2009				16,300				20,280				36,580
			2008				13,900				19,079				32,979
			2007				20,200				13,873				34,073
Lyle M. Page			2009				20,800				9,547				30,347
			2008				18,700				6,942				25,642
			2007				21,200				13,939				35,139
Chevis C. Swetman (1)			2009								37,306				37,306
			2008								34,703				34,703
			2007								32,282				32,282

VII. Transactions with Management

In the ordinary course of business, the Company, through its bank subsidiary, extends loans to certain officers and directors and their personal business interests at, in the opinion of Management, the same terms including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable loans of similar credit risk with persons not related to the Company or its subsidiaries. These loans do not involve more than normal risk of collectability and do not include other unfavorable features. Other than these transactions, there were no material transactions with any such persons during the year ended December 31, 2009.

Lyle M. Page is a partner with Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott, PLLC, which provides legal counsel to the Company.

VIII. Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Directors, executive officers of the Company and holders of more than 10 percent of the Company’s outstanding shares are required to file reports under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Federal regulations require disclosure of any failures to file these reports on a timely basis. The Company believes that during 2009 its officers, directors and greater than 10 percent beneficial owners complied with all filing requirements.

IX. Executive Officers

The following sets forth certain information with respect to the executive officers of the Company who are not also directors as of December 31, 2009:

Name (Age)		Position
A. Wes Fulmer (50)		Executive Vice-President, Peoples Financial Corporation since 2006; Vice-President and Secretary, Peoples Financial Corporation 1997 - 2006; Executive Vice President, The Peoples Bank, since 2006; Senior Vice President, The Peoples Bank 1997 - 2006
Thomas J. Sliman (73)		First Vice President, Peoples Financial Corporation, since 2000; Second Vice President, Peoples Financial Corporation 1985 - 1999; Senior Vice President, The Peoples Bank, since 1988
Jeannette E. Romero (64)		Second Vice President, Peoples Financial Corporation, since 2000; First Vice President, Peoples Financial Corporation 1985 - 1999; Senior Vice President, The Peoples Bank, since 1990
Robert M. Tucei (63)		Vice President, Peoples Financial Corporation since 1995; Senior Vice President, The Peoples Bank, since 1988
Lauri A. Wood (48)		Chief Financial Officer and Controller, Peoples Financial Corporation since 1994; Senior Vice President/Cashier, The Peoples Bank, since 1996
Ann F. Guice (62)		Vice President and Secretary, Peoples Financial Corporation, since 2006; Senior Vice President, The Peoples Bank, since 2006; Vice-President, The Peoples Bank 1998 - 2006
J. Patrick Wild (47)		Vice President, Peoples Financial Corporation, since 2009; Senior Vice President, The Peoples Bank, since 2008; Vice-President, The Peoples Bank 2001 - 2008

X. Independent Public Accountants

Porter Keadle Moore, LLP, (“PKM”) of Atlanta, Georgia, has served as the independent accounting firm for the Company since August of 2006. The Board of Directors has appointed PKM as auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.

The Company has been advised that neither the firm nor any of its partners has any direct or any material indirect financial interest in the securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except as auditors and consultants on accounting procedures and tax matters. The Board does not anticipate that representatives of Porter Keadle Moore, LLP, will attend the Annual Meeting.

Although not required to do so, the Board of Directors has chosen to submit its appointment of Porter Keadle Moore, LLP, for ratification by the Company’s shareholders. It is the intention of the persons named in the PROXY to vote such Proxy “FOR” the ratification of this appointment. If this proposal does not pass, the Board of Directors will reconsider the matter.

XI. Audit Committee Report

The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, whose responsibilities are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter. All members of the Audit Committee are deemed to be independent, as such term is defined by NASDAQ. The Audit Committee oversees the operation of the Company’s Audit Department. The Audit Committee also periodically meets with the independent public accountants for the Company and its subsidiaries, and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning any matters related to the independent public accountants.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management. The Audit Committee has also discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence, and has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditor’s communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee has considered whether the independent auditors’ provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence.

The Audit Committee has discussed with management and the independent auditors the process used for certifications by the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer which are required for certain periodic filings by the Company with the SEC. The Board of Directors maintains an Audit Committee Charter, which meets the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and rules promulgated by the SEC.

Based upon the reviews and discussions with management and the independent auditors as referenced above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 for filing with the SEC.

This report is presented by the Audit Committee, consisting of the following persons:

Drew Allen, Chairman		Rex E. Kelly		Dan Magruder

XII. Independent Accountants’ Fees

The Company’s Audit and Non-Audit Service Pre-Approval Policy stipulates that all services provided by the independent accountants are subject to specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. During 2009, the Company was in compliance with this Policy.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by Porter Keadle Moore, LLP, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 for professional services rendered for: Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees. Audit Fees includes aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Porter Keadle Moore, LLP for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, including the audit of internal controls over financial reporting, review of the annual report on Form 10-K and reviews of quarterly consolidated financial statements included in periodic reports filed with the SEC during 2009, 2008 and 2007, including out of pocket expenses. Audit-Related Fees include fees billed for professional services rendered by Porter Keadle Moore, LLP during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, which relate to the audit of the Company’s employee stock ownership and 401(k) plans for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. Tax Fees include the aggregate fees billed for tax services rendered by Porter Keadle Moore, LLP during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. These services consisted of tax compliance and tax consultation services. There were no other fees paid to PKM during 2009, 2008 and 2007.

		Audit Fees				Audit-Related Fees				Tax Fees				Total Fees
2009		$	274,041			$	18,000			$	19,870			$	311,911
2008			273,662				17,000				17,890				308,552
2007			244,126				28,500				19,950				292,576

XIII. Proposals of Shareholders

In order for a shareholder proposal to be included in a Proxy Statement and form of Proxy prepared by the Board of Directors, it must meet the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and be received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than 120 days in advance of the date the previous year’s Proxy Statement and form of Proxy were mailed to shareholders. Thus, a shareholder proposal must be received before November 11, 2010 in order to be included in the Proxy Statement and form of Proxy for the 2011 annual meeting.

In accordance with the Company’s by-laws, shareholders may make proposals for consideration at the annual meeting by delivering their written proposal to the Company’s President not less than 14 days or more than 50 days prior to the 2011 annual meeting. If the Company does not give at least 21 days notice of the meeting, shareholders are allowed to make proposals by mailing or delivering their proposal to the President not later than the close of the business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting is mailed.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chevis C. Swetman
Chairman

PROXY

PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
April 14, 2010

The undersigned hereby appoint Chevis C. Swetman, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote as proxy for the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Peoples Financial Corporation (the “Company”) to be held at The Swetman Building at The Peoples Bank, Suite 204, 727 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi, 39530, at 7:00 P.M., local time, on April 14, 2010, and at any and all adjournments thereof, the number of shares which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then personally present, for the following purposes:

	1.		The election of the following five persons as directors.
			(INSTRUCTIONS: AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE MAY BE WITHHELD BY LINING THROUGH OR OTHERWISE STRIKING OUT THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE.)

Drew Allen

Rex E. Kelly

Dan Magruder

Lyle M. Page

Chevis C. Swetman

For all nominees except as indicated

¨

Against all nominees

¨

2.

To approve the appointment of Porter Keadle Moore, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company.

Approve

¨

Disapprove

¨

Abstain

¨

3.

Transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Approve

¨

Disapprove

¨

Abstain

¨

THIS PROXY, WHICH IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ABOVE PROPOSALS, UNLESS A CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, IN WHICH CASE IT WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF AUTHORITY IS GRANTED PURSUANT TO PROPOSAL 3 ABOVE, THE PROXIES INTEND TO VOTE ON ANY OTHER BUSINESS COMING BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIRECTION OF A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.

Please date the Proxy and sign your name exactly as it appears on the stock records of the Company. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full titles as such. If signed as a corporation or other entity, please sign in entity’s name by authorized person.

You may also access the proxy materials and vote your proxy online by using your 12 digit control number found below at https://www.shareholderaccountingsoftware.com/tspweb/peoples/pxsignon.asp .

		Signature
		Signature
		Date
		Number of Shares