One of the Souths fastest-growing financial institutions did not originate in a large, metropolitan area or grow with the usual bank business plan. Community Bancshares of Mississippi, Inc., formerly Farmers and Merchants Bank, started more than 100 years ago in a small timber community in east central Mississippi and has grown by employing a unique approach to one of America's most routine industries.From 1995 until today, with few acquisitions, Community Bancshares has grown from 200 million dollars in assets and a couple of offices to more than 2.7 billion dollar in assets, 44 offices and over 700 employees in four states.