Exhibit 32

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the filing of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 (the “Report”) by Southside Bancshares, Inc. (“Registrant”), each of the undersigned hereby certifies that to his knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Registrant.

Date:  August 6, 2012	By:	/s/ SAM DAWSON
		Sam Dawson
		President and Chief Executive Officer

Date:  August 6, 2012	By:	/s/ LEE R. GIBSON
		Lee R. Gibson, CPA
		Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer