Kroll affirms ratings of Simmons First National, unit

Kroll Bond Rating Agency affirmed the ratings of Pine Bluff, Ark.-based Simmons First National Corp. and its unit Simmons Bank.

The rating agency affirmed the company's BBB+ senior unsecured debt rating, BBB subordinated debt rating and K2 short-term debt rating, as well as the bank's A- deposit and senior unsecured debt ratings, BBB+ subordinated debt rating and K2 short-term deposit and debt ratings.

The outlook for all long-term ratings is stable.

Kroll said the ratings are supported by Simmons First National's differentiated product set, which it said is deemed more diverse than that of many of the company's peers and a key driver of its durable earnings profile. The rating agency also took into account the company's leadership and its "disciplined approach" to M&A, among other factors.