BCB Holding Company, Inc. shareholders have approved the company's merger into The First Bancshares, Inc. BCB is the parent company of Bay Bank, which will be merged with The First, A National Banking Association. The First has now received all regulatory approvals required to complete the merger, which is expected to become effective June 30. Hoppy Cole, President and CEO of The First, commented, “We are excited and look forward to welcoming the staff, shareholders and clients of BCB Holding Company, Inc. and Bay Bank to our team. The combination of these two service oriented community banks will allow us to better serve our customers in south Alabama and the Gulf South Region.”