As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 2003

                                                 Registration No. 333-
===============================================================================
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           ----------------------

                                  FORM S-3
                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
                         THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                           ----------------------

                           ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC.
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                           ----------------------
       MISSOURI             10401 CLAYTON ROAD             43-1262037
   (State or other       ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63131      (I.R.S. Employer
   jurisdiction of            (314) 692-8200           Identification No.)
  incorporation or
    organization)

                 (Address, including zip code, and telephone
                number, including area code, of registrant's
                        principal executive offices)

                           ----------------------
                              JEFFREY S. SCHATZ
            EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
                           ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC.
                             10401 CLAYTON ROAD
                          ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63131
                               (314) 692-8200
          (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                 including area code, of agent for service)

                            ---------------------

   THOMAS A. LITZ, ESQ.       Copies to:         EDWIN S. DEL HIERRO, ESQ.
  THOMAS E. PROOST, ESQ.                        WILLIAM E. TURNER II, ESQ.
    THOMPSON COBURN LLP                        BARACK FERRAZZANO KIRSCHBAUM
        SUITE 3400                                PERLMAN & NAGELBERG LLC
     ONE US BANK PLAZA                       333 WEST WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2700
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI  63101                       CHICAGO, ILLINOIS  60606
(314) 552-6000 (TELEPHONE)                      (312) 984-3100 (TELEPHONE)
   (314) 552-7000 (FAX)                            (312) 984-3150 (FAX)

         APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: As
soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

         If the only securities being registered on this Form are being
offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check
the following box. | |

         If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection
with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. | |

         If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. | | ____________

         If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(c) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. | | ___________

         If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to
Rule 434, please check the following box. | |

                           ----------------------

                                                 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
=================================================================================================================================

                                                                                   PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES     AMOUNT TO BE         PROPOSED MAXIMUM           AGGREGATE
        TO BE REGISTERED               REGISTERED       OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE     OFFERING PRICE    AMOUNT OF REGISTRATION FEE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     
  Common stock, par value
    $0.01 per share               1,725,000 shares (1)        $18.03 (2)            $31,101,750 (2)              $2,862
==================================================================================================================================

(1)  Includes an aggregate of 225,000 shares of common stock that may be
     purchased by the underwriters to cover over-allotments, if any.
(2)  Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of the
     registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) based on the average of the
     high and low prices on January 27, 2003 as reported on the Nasdaq
     National Market.

                       -------------------------------
         THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH
DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE
REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT
THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
===============================================================================




                Subject to completion, dated January 30, 2003

*******************************************************************************
 The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We
 may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
 Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an
 offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
 securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
*******************************************************************************

PROSPECTUS
                              1,500,000 SHARES

                           [ALLEGIANT BANCORP LOGO]

                                COMMON STOCK

         We are selling 1,500,000 shares of our common stock. Our common
stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "ALLE." On
January 29, 2003, the last sale price of our common stock as reported by the
Nasdaq National Market was $18.10 per share.

         INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES SIGNIFICANT RISKS. YOU
SHOULD READ THE "RISK FACTORS" SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 8 BEFORE INVESTING.

         NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATORY BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF
THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

         THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS OR OBLIGATIONS OF ANY
BANK AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.



                                                         PER SHARE      TOTAL
                                                       ------------  ----------
                                                               
Public offering price...............................   $             $
Underwriting discount...............................   $             $
Proceeds, before expenses, to Allegiant.............   $             $


         This is a firm commitment offering. We have granted to the
underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 225,000 additional shares to
cover over-allotments, if any.

         The underwriters expect to deliver the shares on or about         ,
2003, subject to customary closing conditions.


LEGG MASON WOOD WALKER
    INCORPORATED

                 RBC CAPITAL MARKETS

                                   STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY
                                           INCORPORATED

                                                 HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.




                The date of this Prospectus is        , 2003






                           ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC.

















              [The inside front cover of the prospectus depicts
          a map of the metropolitan St. Louis service territory of
                Allegiant Bank showing its branch locations.]











                              TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
                                                                       
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS.......................................................i
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY..........................................................1
RISK FACTORS................................................................8
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS..................14
USE OF PROCEEDS............................................................15
MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS......................................15
CAPITALIZATION.............................................................17
MANAGEMENT.................................................................18
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS...................21
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK...............................................23
UNDERWRITING...............................................................26
LEGAL MATTERS..............................................................28
EXPERTS....................................................................28
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION..................................28
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE.................................................28



                            ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

         You should rely only on the information contained in this
prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We have not,
and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you
with different information. The information contained in this prospectus is
accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of
delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of common stock. Unless otherwise
indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters
will not exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock
to cover over-allotments.

         We sometimes refer to Allegiant Bank as the "bank." When we refer
to our branches in the St. Louis metropolitan area, we are excluding two
branches to be sold in connection with the anticipated sale of one of our
two subsidiary banks, Bank of Ste. Genevieve, to First Banks, Inc.

         To understand this offering fully, you should read this entire
document carefully, including particularly the "Risk Factors" section, as
well as the documents identified in the section titled "Where You Can Find
Additional Information."




                                   - i -










               (This page has been left blank intentionally.)







                             PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

         This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in, or
incorporated by reference into, this prospectus. Because this is a summary,
it may not contain all information that may be important to you. Therefore,
you should read the entire prospectus, our financial statements, including
the related notes, and the other information that is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus before making a decision to invest in our
common stock.

                           ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC.

         We are the largest publicly-held bank holding company headquartered
in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Our principal subsidiary, Allegiant
Bank, offers full-service banking and personal trust services to
individuals, businesses and municipalities in our market area. These
services include commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer
loans, checking, savings and time deposit accounts, wealth management and
other fiduciary services, as well as other financial services, including
mortgage banking, securities brokerage and insurance products. As of
September 30, 2002, we reported, on a consolidated basis, total assets of
$2.3 billion, loans of $1.6 billion and shareholders' equity of $160.4
million. This represents growth of 6.4%, 15.1% and 16.2%, respectively, when
compared to our total assets, loans and shareholders' equity as of December
31, 2001.

                            THE ST. LOUIS MARKET

         The St. Louis metropolitan area is the 18th largest metropolitan
market in the United States with a population of approximately 2.5 million.
The St. Louis area is home to 15 Fortune 1000 companies, including
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Emerson Electric Co. and The May Department
Stores Company. Over the past several years, a number of financial
institutions in our market area have been acquired by larger regional or
national out-of-town financial institutions. These acquisitions have
included: Marshall & Ilsley Corporation's 2002 acquisition of Mississippi
Valley Bancshares, Inc., Firstar Corporation's (now operating as U.S.
Bancorp) 1999 acquisition of Mercantile Bancorporation Inc., Union Planters
Corporation's 1998 acquisition of Magna Group, Inc. and NationsBank
Corporation's (now operating as Bank of America Corporation) 1997
acquisition of Boatmen's Bancshares, Inc. We believe we have capitalized on
opportunities created by this market consolidation and have built a strong,
customer-friendly, community-focused banking franchise.

                           KEY OPERATING STRENGTHS

         We believe the following operating strengths distinguish us from
our competition and position us for further growth and enhanced
profitability:

     o   Growth in our market. Our primary goal has been to expand our
branch network in the St. Louis market while increasing our earnings per
share. Since our inception in 1989, we have grown through a combination of
internal growth and acquisitions. We have sought to maximize our internal
growth opportunities by positioning Allegiant as one of the leading St.
Louis community banks. Since the beginning of 2000, we estimate that our
deposits and loans, excluding those added through acquisitions, have grown
at a compound annual rate of approximately 11.0% and 19.6%, respectively.
Since the beginning of 2000, our diluted earnings per share have increased
at a compound annual rate of 17.0%.

         We have supplemented our internal growth with several acquisitions
within our market area. Since 2000, we have completed a number of
significant acquisitions, including: Equality Bancorp, Inc., a

                                     1




community-based thrift holding company with total assets of approximately
$300.4 million, in November 2000; Southside Bancshares Corp., a
community-based bank holding company with total assets of approximately
$804.9 million, in September 2001; and five branches from Guardian Savings
Bank with total deposits of $107.9 million, in December 2001. Additionally,
in order to diversify our operations and sources of income, in October 2002,
we acquired Investment Counselors, Incorporated, an investment advisory firm
with approximately $331.9 million of assets under management.

         Consistent with our focus on establishing and maintaining a strong
presence in the most attractive areas in the St. Louis market, in September
2002, we entered into an agreement to sell Bank of Ste. Genevieve, one of
our two subsidiary banks, to First Banks, Inc. Bank of Ste. Genevieve
operates two branches located outside of the St. Louis metropolitan area. We
expect to complete the sale of Bank of Ste. Genevieve during the first half
of 2003.

     o   Strong commercial lending franchise. In order to improve the
profitability of our banking operations, over the past several years we have
reduced the number of residential mortgages that we hold in our portfolio
and have increased the amount of higher yielding commercial loans. Since the
beginning of 1998, and in part as a result of opportunities that resulted
from the consolidation of the St. Louis banking market, we have hired 23
commercial lending professionals, including a senior credit officer, who
average more than 15 years of commercial lending experience in the St. Louis
metropolitan area. As these local loan officers have joined our banking
team, we have benefited from their existing customer relationships, as well
as their local banking expertise. Our target lending customers are small to
mid-sized businesses requiring credit ranging in size from $1.0 million to
$3.0 million. As a result of our relationship lending focus, we may make
larger loans based upon the needs of our business customers and consistent
with our loan policy and applicable laws and regulations. During the
12-month period ended September 30, 2002, our commercial business loans grew
17.2%, from $266.2 million to $312.0 million, and our demand deposit
accounts grew 16.6%, from $178.0 million to $207.6 million.

     o   Full-service, community banking focus. We focus on serving
customers with banking needs that no longer can be adequately served by
smaller local institutions but who still desire the personalized service
that larger, out-of-state institutions do not effectively provide. Our
community banking focus and streamlined management and decision-making
procedures allow us to respond quickly to the needs of our individual and
business customers and to tailor products and services to meet their needs.

         We seek to effectively meet the convenience and needs of customers
through our extensive branch network that provides our customers at least
one branch located within a 20-minute drive from all principal sectors of
the St. Louis metropolitan area. Our 37 branches and 59 ATMs throughout the
St. Louis metropolitan area also serve to increase recognition of the
Allegiant name. In addition, we have sought to further enhance our name
recognition by serving as the official bank of the St. Louis Rams football
team since July 2000.

                                  STRATEGY

         We believe that our operating strengths and the following
strategies position us for further asset and earnings per share growth:

     o   Maintain strong asset quality while growing our commercial loan
portfolio. While commercial loan growth is a priority, we remain focused on
asset quality. Although our asset quality has been negatively impacted to
some degree by our recent acquisitions, our ratio of non-performing assets
to total assets improved from 0.93% at December 31, 2001 to 0.67% at
September 30, 2002.


                                     2




     o   Continue to build our relationship-based sales culture. We foster
an internal sales culture focused on increasing the number of products that
we provide to our customers. Over the past several years, we have
significantly improved our internal measures of how many banking products or
services we sell to new customers in the first six months of our
relationship with those customers. This improvement has resulted from
various initiatives, including the recent implementation of an enhanced
customer relationship management system to monitor results.

     o   Expand our core deposit base. Expansion of our core deposit base
will provide us with a cost-effective and stable source of funding for our
loan portfolio. We have improved our non-interest bearing deposits to total
deposits ratio from 10.0% at December 31, 2000 to 12.2% at September 30,
2002, which we attribute, to a significant extent, to our efforts to
cross-sell deposit services to our commercial customers. We will continue to
pursue strategies to increase our non-interest bearing deposits.

     o   Increase our non-interest income. In order to diversify our
sources of income and to reduce our dependence on net interest income, we
are focused on increasing our non-interest income. Non-interest income as a
percentage of our combined net interest income and non-interest income has
increased from 17.0% for the year ended 2000 to 23.9% for the nine months
ended September 30, 2002. Although our wealth management division has not
historically contributed a significant portion of our total revenues, we
believe that our acquisition of Investment Counselors, Incorporated, in
conjunction with the trust operation we acquired in the Southside
transaction, has positioned this division to contribute meaningful revenues
to our franchise in the future. These acquired operations enable us to offer
a more comprehensive selection of wealth management products and services to
our customers.

     o   Maintain strong expense controls. We have implemented a
company-wide cost control initiative intended to enhance efficiencies
throughout our organization that we refer to as "Project 2004." In addition,
we consolidated our banking operations into one primary subsidiary,
Allegiant Bank, during 2002. Our increased concentration on cost control
efforts is reflected in the improvement of our efficiency ratio from 59.6%
for the year ended December 31, 2000 to 54.3% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2002.

         We believe growth of our average branch size and the resulting
economies of scale contribute significantly to improving our efficiencies.
We have 14 branches that we have owned since December 31, 1999 and which
have not been combined with acquired branches. Average deposits at these 14
branches increased from $37.5 million at December 31, 1999 to $55.4 million
at September 30, 2002, which we believe reflects the success of our strategy
for achieving organic growth.

                                PROJECT 2004

         In August 2002, we announced the launch of Project 2004. The
mission of Project 2004 is to improve our operating platform by leveraging
our acquisition expertise internally. We are approaching this project as if
we had acquired our own operations and have evaluated our systems and
strategies in order to enhance our delivery of products and services to
customers, to improve operating efficiencies and to provide increased
revenue. Based on our evaluations, we have undertaken improvement
initiatives, several of which have been successfully implemented. We have
instituted enhanced budgeting and internal reporting processes and a new
customer relationship management system designed to improve the
profitability of our customer relationships and identify products and
services that allow us to better serve our customers.




                                     3




                               MANAGEMENT TEAM

         Our management team is comprised of experienced individuals who
average more than 15 years in the banking or financial services industries.
Currently, our directors and executive officers own approximately 26% of our
outstanding common stock. Upon the completion of this offering and the
consummation of the proposed sale of Bank of Ste. Genevieve to First Banks,
Inc., our directors and officers would own approximately 25% of our
outstanding common stock.

                             RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

         On January 23, 2003, we reported that for the year ended December
31, 2002, on a consolidated basis, our net interest income was $64.9
million, our net income was $21.4 million and our diluted earnings per share
were $1.33. For the prior year, we reported net interest income of $40.9
million, net income of $13.1 million and diluted earnings per share of
$1.24.

         For the fourth quarter of 2002, on a consolidated basis, our net
interest income was $16.4 million, our net income was $5.7 million and our
diluted earnings per share were $0.35. These compare to net interest income
of $14.1 million, net income of $4.9 million and diluted earnings per share
of $0.32, that we reported for the fourth quarter of 2001.

         As of December 31, 2002, our ratio of non-performing assets to
total assets decreased to 0.68% compared to 0.93% at December 31, 2001. Net
charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2002 were 0.51% of average loans
outstanding compared to 0.48% of average loans outstanding for the year
ended December 31, 2001.

         Our principal executive offices are located at 10401 Clayton Road,
St. Louis, Missouri 63131, and our telephone number is (314) 692-8200.






                                     4





                                THE OFFERING
                                                            
Common Stock Offered........................................   1,500,000 shares

Common Stock Outstanding After
         the Offering.......................................   17,702,057 shares

Use of Proceeds.............................................   We will contribute substantially all of the net
                                                               proceeds of this offering to the bank to
                                                               strengthen its capital position, to support its
                                                               anticipated loan growth and for other general
                                                               corporate purposes. The bank will use a portion
                                                               of the capital contributed to temporarily reduce
                                                               short-term indebtedness, which may be reborrowed,
                                                               if necessary, to fund loan growth.  We will use
                                                               the remaining proceeds that are not contributed
                                                               to the bank for general corporate and working
                                                               capital purposes.

Dividends...................................................   Our annualized quarterly dividends for the year
                                                               ended 2002 totaled $0.26 per share.

Nasdaq National Market symbol...............................   ALLE


         The number of shares of common stock offered assumes the
underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised. If the over-allotment
option is exercised in full, we will offer, issue and sell an additional
225,000 shares, and the common stock outstanding after this offering will be
17,927,057 shares.

         The number of shares outstanding after this offering set forth
above does not give effect to: (1) 1,219,291 shares reserved for issuance
under our stock option plans, of which options to purchase 1,176,454 shares
at a weighted average price of $12.66 were outstanding at January 29, 2003;
and (2) approximately 974,150 shares that we will acquire in connection with
the sale of Bank of Ste. Genevieve to First Banks, Inc. if the proposed
disposition is consummated.





                                     5




                              FINANCIAL SUMMARY

         The following table sets forth certain historical financial data of
Allegiant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. This table should be
read in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements
and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus.



                                         AS OF OR FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                                               ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,               AS OF OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         ---------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
                                              2002          2001         2001         2000        1999         1998        1997
                                              ----          ----         ----         ----        ----         ----        ----
                                                                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                                                    
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Interest income .........................  $    92,566   $   65,696   $    96,423   $   71,973  $   52,112  $   49,218   $   37,765
Interest expense ........................       44,024       38,854        55,481       40,521      26,601      27,267       21,466
                                           -----------   ----------   -----------   ----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
   Net interest income ..................       48,542       26,842        40,942       31,452      25,511      21,951       16,299
Provision for loan losses ...............        5,510        3,700         5,000        3,500       2,546       2,420        2,397
Other non-interest income ...............       15,207       10,329        14,803        6,462       4,843       9,324        3,298
Other non-interest expense ..............       34,621       20,592        30,070       22,582      18,762      21,295       13,069
                                           -----------   ----------   -----------   ----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
   Income before income taxes ...........       23,618       12,879        20,675       11,832       9,046       7,560        4,131
Provision for income taxes ..............        7,939        4,617         7,553        4,797       3,644       3,026        1,716
                                           -----------   ----------   -----------   ----------  ----------  ----------   ----------
   Net income ...........................  $    15,679   $    8,262   $    13,122   $    7,035  $    5,402  $    4,534   $    2,415
                                           ===========   ==========   ===========   ==========  ==========  ==========   ==========

PER SHARE DATA
Basic earnings per share (1) ............  $      1.00   $     0.93   $      1.26   $     1.09  $     0.84  $     0.72   $     0.54
Diluted earnings per share (1) ..........         0.98         0.92          1.24         1.08        0.83        0.68         0.49
Dividends declared ......................         0.195        0.18          0.24         0.22        0.20        0.12         0.08
Book value at period end ................        10.10         9.82          9.08         8.75        7.73        7.36         6.88
Weighted average basic shares
   outstanding ..........................   15,653,136    8,910,966    10,447,845    6,460,250   6,450,639   6,250,910    4,885,303

BALANCE SHEET
Total assets ............................  $ 2,308,707   $2,127,556   $ 2,170,479   $1,135,724  $  728,492  $  596,274   $  608,237
Investment securities ...................      429,026      414,200       463,637      134,296      60,797      54,780       76,869
Loans ...................................    1,633,876    1,430,447     1,419,796      813,971     615,191     495,668      484,863
Deposits ................................    1,700,559    1,561,997     1,687,615      858,084     548,466     450,766      484,641
Borrowed funds ..........................      378,044      340,239       269,218      174,951     112,221      93,817       76,854
Guaranteed preferred beneficial
   interest in subordinated
   debentures ...........................       57,250       57,250        57,250       17,250      17,250          --           --
Shareholders' equity ....................      160,446      146,153       138,068       77,806      47,991      48,104       42,071
Allowance for loan losses ...............       18,460       19,692        18,905       11,433       8,315       6,442        5,193

SELECTED RATIOS
Performance Ratios:
   Return on average assets (2) .........         0.95%        0.94%         0.94%        0.83%       0.83%       0.73%        0.52%
   Return on average equity (2) .........        13.95        13.19         13.59        13.21       10.60       10.14         9.55
   Net interest rate margin (2) .........         3.24         3.30          3.17         3.99        4.17        3.82         3.71
   Efficiency ratio .....................        54.31        55.40         53.94        59.56       61.81       68.07        66.69
   Total loans to total assets ..........        70.77        67.23         65.41        71.67       84.45       83.13        79.72
Asset Quality Ratios:
   Nonperforming loans to total loans ...         0.88%        1.18%         1.39%        0.38%       0.10%       0.36%        0.28%
   Nonperforming assets to total assets..         0.67         0.84          0.93         0.29        0.14        0.30         0.28
   Allowance for loan losses to total
     loans ..............................         1.13         1.38          1.33         1.40        1.35        1.30         1.07
   Allowance for loan losses to
     nonperforming assets ...............       119.48       109.78         94.15       344.99      807.28      362.32       304.22
   Allowance for loan losses to
     nonperforming loans ................       128.48       116.38         95.92       366.09    1,324.20      362.32       377.12
   Net charge-offs to average loans (2)..         0.52         0.43          0.48         0.19        0.12        0.25         0.19
Allegiant Bancorp Capital Ratios:
   Total risk-based capital .............         9.87        10.07         10.01        10.79       10.23        8.68         8.14
   Tier 1 risk-based capital ............         8.51         8.82          8.11         9.53        8.80        7.42         6.39
   Tier 1 leverage capital ..............         6.82        11.64          6.32         8.71        7.47        5.83         6.15
   Equity to assets ratio ...............         6.95         6.87          6.36         6.85        6.59        8.07         6.92
   Tangible equity to tangible assets ...         4.63         3.88          3.86         5.95        5.06        6.07         4.79


-----------
(1) Based on weighted-average common shares outstanding.
(2) On an annualized basis for the nine-month periods ended September 30,
    2001 and 2002.





                                     6






                                  AS OF OR FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                                       ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,            AS OF OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                  ----------------------------   -------------------------------------------------
                                       2002          2001        2001       2000       1999       1998        1997
                                       ----          ----        ----       ----       ----       ----        ----
                                                                                         
Allegiant Bank Capital Ratios:
   Total risk-based capital.........   10.33         10.98       10.48      11.65      11.52      10.93       9.35
   Tier 1 risk-based capital........    9.28          9.78        9.26      10.40      10.27       9.68       8.27
   Tier 1 leverage capital..........    7.58          8.16        7.62       9.50       8.89       7.61       7.76

OTHER DATA
Number of St. Louis metropolitan
   area banking facilities at
   period end (1)...................      37            37          37         23         15         13         10


-----------
(1)  Excludes two branches which we acquired in September 2001, that are to
     be sold in connection with the anticipated sale of Bank of Ste.
     Genevieve to First Banks, Inc.


         All share and per share amounts included above have been restated
to reflect: (1) a 10% stock dividend paid in January 1997; (2) a
five-for-four stock split effected in January 1998; and (3) a six-for-five
stock split effected in January 1999.

         Our efficiency ratio is the quotient of our other non-interest
expense over the sum of our net interest income and other non-interest
income.








                                     7




                                RISK FACTORS

         You should carefully consider the following risk factors before
purchasing the shares offered by this prospectus. There could be other
factors not listed below that may affect us.

OUR ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO COVER ACTUAL LOAN
LOSSES.

         Our loan customers may not repay their loans according to their
terms, and the customers' collateral securing the payment of their loans may
be insufficient to assure repayment. Credit losses are inherent in the
lending business and could harm our operating results.

         We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility
of our loan portfolio and provide an allowance for potential losses based on
a number of factors. If our assumptions are wrong, our allowance for loan
losses may not be sufficient to cover our loan losses. We may have to
increase the allowance in the future. Additions to our allowance for loan
losses would decrease our net income.

OUR EXPOSURE TO CREDIT RISK IS INCREASED BY OUR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE,
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS AND CONSTRUCTION LENDING.

         Commercial real estate, commercial business and construction
lending generally involve a higher degree of credit risk than single-family
residential lending. These loans involve larger loan balances to a single
borrower or groups of related borrowers. These loans are also more
susceptible to a risk of loss during a downturn in the business cycle. The
underwriting, review and monitoring performed by our officers and directors
cannot eliminate all of the risks related to these loans.

         o    OUR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOANS WILL GENERALLY HAVE HIGHER
              PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS AND MAY HAVE BALLOON PAYMENTS.

              Commercial real estate loans involve greater risk because they
              generally involve higher principal amounts and are dependent,
              in large part, on sufficient income from the property securing
              the loan to cover operating expenses and loan payments. In
              addition, many commercial real estate loans are not fully
              amortized over the loan period, but have balloon payments due
              at maturity. A borrower's ability to make a balloon payment
              typically will depend on being able to either refinance the
              loan or timely sell the underlying property. Because these
              loans depend on the successful operation, sale and refinancing
              of property, they may be affected to a greater extent than
              residential loans by adverse conditions in real estate markets
              or the economy. As of September 30, 2002, we had $1.0 billion
              in commercial real estate loans, including multi-family
              residential loans.

         o    COMMERCIAL BUSINESS BORROWERS' ABILITY TO REPAY OUR LOANS WILL
              SUBSTANTIALLY DEPEND UPON THEIR COMMERCIAL SUCCESS AND THE
              VALUE OF THEIR COLLATERAL MAY BE DIFFICULT TO APPRAISE AND MAY
              CHANGE OVER TIME.

              Unlike residential mortgage loans that are based on the
              borrower's ability to repay the loan from the borrower's
              income and are secured by real property with a value that is
              usually readily ascertainable, commercial business loans are
              typically based on the borrower's ability to repay the loan
              from the cash flow of the business. These loans involve
              greater risk because the availability of funds to repay the
              loan depends substantially on the success of the business
              itself. In addition, the collateral securing the loans may
              depreciate over time, be


                                     8




              difficult to appraise and fluctuate in value based on the
              success of the business. As of September 30, 2002, we had
              $312.0 million in commercial business loans.

         o    OUR CONSTRUCTION LOANS WILL BE BASED UPON ESTIMATES OF
              CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND PROPERTY VALUES, AND THESE ESTIMATES
              MAY BE INACCURATE.

              Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon
              whether we properly estimate construction costs and a
              property's value at completion of construction. Construction
              loans often require disbursement of substantial funds with
              repayment dependent in part on the success of the ultimate
              project and the borrower's ability to refinance the
              indebtedness or sell or lease the property. During the
              construction phase, a number of factors can result in delays
              and cost overruns. If the estimate of value is inaccurate, the
              value of the property securing our loans may be insufficient
              to ensure full repayment when completed through sale, a
              permanent loan or seizure of collateral. As of September 30,
              2002, we had $245.2 million in construction loans.

CHANGES IN THE LOCAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR LOAN
PORTFOLIO.

         Our success depends to a great extent upon the general economic
conditions of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Unlike larger banks that are
more geographically diversified, we primarily provide banking and financial
services to customers in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Our commercial
real estate, commercial business and construction loans, the ability of the
borrowers to repay these loans and the value of the collateral securing
these loans may be impacted by local economic conditions. Favorable economic
conditions may not always exist in our market.

WE MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES IN MANAGING OUR GROWTH.

         As part of our overall growth strategy, we have in the past
acquired, and may acquire in the future, banks and related businesses that
we believe provide a strategic fit with our business. To the extent that we
do grow, we may not be able to adequately and profitably manage that growth.
We have developed risk management policies and procedures to monitor and
manage operational risks in connection with our growth. Our risk management
methods may not be effective because, among other reasons, as a result of
our recent acquisitions, we may have failed to properly identify our
operational risks and because certain of the risks that we will face in the
future may be different in nature or magnitude than those we have faced in
the past. Operational risks that are not adequately managed by our policies
and procedures may result in financial loss, customer dissatisfaction and
violations of law. In addition, we may not be able to obtain regulatory
approval for potential acquisitions.

WE WILL BE SUBJECTED TO SPECIAL RISKS IF WE EFFECT FUTURE ACQUISITIONS.

         Acquiring other banks and businesses will involve risks commonly
associated with acquisitions, including:

         o    potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of
              any banks or other businesses acquired by us;

         o    difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and
              personnel of any banks or other businesses acquired by us;


                                     9




         o    possible increases in leverage resulting from borrowings
              needed to finance an acquisition or increase regulatory
              capital;

         o    potential disruption to our business;

         o    potential diversion of our management's time and attention;

         o    potential asset quality issues of any banks or other
              businesses acquired by us;

         o    impairment of relationships with and the possible loss of key
              employees and customers of any banks or other businesses
              acquired by us; and

         o    dilution to our shareholders if we use our common stock as
              consideration for the acquisition.

IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR US TO MAINTAIN OUR HISTORICAL GROWTH RATE.

         We have completed various acquisitions and opened additional
branches in the past few years that have significantly enhanced our rate of
growth. We may not continue to sustain this rate of growth or grow at all.
Competition for suitable acquisition candidates is intense. We may target
acquisition candidates that a variety of larger financial institutions with
substantially greater resources than us also may be interested in acquiring,
which may make it more difficult or expensive for us to acquire potential
candidates.

THE LOSS OF CERTAIN KEY PERSONNEL COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS.

         Our success depends in large part on retaining the services of a
limited number of our key management, lending and other banking personnel.
We will likely undergo a difficult transition period if we lose the services
of any of these individuals.

         Our success also depends on the experience of the managers of our
banking facilities and our lending officers and on their relationships with
the communities and the customers they serve. The loss of these key persons
could negatively impact the affected banking operations. We may not be able
to retain our current key personnel or attract additional qualified key
persons as needed.

CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES MAY REDUCE OUR NET INTEREST INCOME DUE TO, AMONG
OTHER REASONS, THE INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY OF OUR ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

         Like other financial institutions, net interest income will affect
our results of operations. Net interest income is the difference between
interest earned on loans and investments and interest expense incurred on
deposits and other borrowings. Our net interest income will be impacted by
changes in market rates of interest, the interest rate sensitivity of our
assets and liabilities, prepayments on our loans and investments and limits
on increases in the rates of interest charged on our residential real estate
loans.

         Certain of our assets and liabilities may react in different
degrees to changes in market interest rates. In addition, interest rates on
some types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate prior to changes in
broader market interest rates, while rates on other types may lag behind. We
continually take measures intended to manage the risks from changes in
market interest rates, including using derivatives and other
interest-sensitive instruments to manage our interest rate risk. These
investments may not perform as we


                                     10




anticipate and may not reduce interest rate exposure in the manner or with
the precision we intended. In addition, our position is slightly
asset-sensitive and, therefore, in a declining interest rate environment,
our net interest income will decrease because our assets will reprice faster
than our liabilities.

CHANGES IN MARKET RATES OF INTEREST WILL BE BEYOND OUR CONTROL.

         We will not be able to predict or control changes in market rates
of interest. Market rates of interest are affected by regional and local
economic conditions, as well as monetary policies of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve. The following factors also may affect market
interest rates:

         o    inflation or deflation;

         o    slow or stagnant economic growth or recession;

         o    unemployment;

         o    money supply;

         o    international disorders;

         o    instability in domestic and foreign financial markets; and

         o    other factors beyond our control.

Market rates of interest will impact the amounts earned on our assets such
as loans and securities and the amounts paid on our liabilities such as
deposits and borrowings.

INSIDERS WILL EFFECTIVELY CONTROL OUR FUTURE OPERATIONS AS A RESULT OF THE
CONCENTRATION OF CONTROL OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

         Currently, our directors and executive officers own approximately
26% of our outstanding common stock. Upon the completion of this offering
and the consummation of the proposed sale of Bank of Ste. Genevieve to First
Banks, Inc., our directors and officers would own approximately 25% of our
outstanding common stock. As a result, these insiders will effectively
control the election of our Board of Directors and thus our direction and
future operations. Our other shareholders may therefore lack an effective
vote with respect to these matters.

WE CONTINUALLY ENCOUNTER TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, AND WE MAY HAVE FEWER
RESOURCES THAN MANY OF OUR COMPETITORS TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN
TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH COULD REDUCE OUR ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY
COMPETE.

         The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological
changes with frequent introduction of new technology-driven products and
services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of
technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce
costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to address
the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and
services to enhance customer convenience, as well as to create additional
efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially
greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We cannot assure
you that we will be able to effectively implement new technology-driven
products and services, which could reduce our ability to effectively
compete.


                                     11




THE BANKING BUSINESS IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE.

         We operate in a competitive environment. In the St. Louis
metropolitan area, other commercial banks, savings and loan associations,
credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies,
brokerage and investment banking firms, investment advisers, financial
planners and other financial intermediaries offer similar services. Many of
these competitors have substantially greater resources and lending limits
and may offer certain services that we do not currently provide. In
addition, the extensive regulations that govern us and our banks may not
apply to some of our non-bank competitors. Our profitability depends upon
the ability of our banks to compete in our market area.

WE ARE SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE AND CONSTANTLY CHANGING REGULATION.

         The banking industry is heavily regulated under both federal and
state law. These regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors
and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, not creditors or
shareholders. We and our non-bank subsidiaries also are subject to the
supervision of the Federal Reserve Board, in addition to other regulatory
organizations. Regulations affecting banks and financial services companies
undergo continuous change, and the ultimate effect of such changes cannot be
predicted. Federal and state governments may modify regulations and laws at
any time, and may enact new legislation. In addition to laws and regulations
affecting our banking business, compliance with other laws, including the
corporate governance standards set forth in the recently enacted
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, regulatory requirements and Nasdaq National
Market standards impose administrative costs and burdens on us.

TERRORIST ATTACKS AND THREATS, ESCALATION OF MILITARY ACTIVITY IN RESPONSE
TO SUCH ATTACKS OR ACTS OF WAR MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

         Our business is affected by general economic conditions,
fluctuations in consumer confidence and spending, and market liquidity,
which can decline as a result of numerous factors outside of our control,
such as terrorist attacks and acts of war. The deterioration of the domestic
economy could cause an increase in delinquencies in our loan portfolio and
loan losses. Future terrorist attacks, like the 2001 attacks in the United
States, as well as events occurring in response to, or in connection with,
the attacks, including rumors or threats of war, actual conflicts involving
the United States or its allies, or military disruptions could materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.

MANAGEMENT HAS DISCRETIONARY USE OF THE PROCEEDS OF THIS OFFERING.

         We will contribute substantially all of the net proceeds of this
offering to the bank to strengthen its capital position, to support its
anticipated loan growth and for other general corporate purposes. The bank
will use a portion of the capital contributed to temporarily reduce
short-term indebtedness, which may be reborrowed, if necessary, to fund loan
growth. We will use the remaining proceeds that are not contributed to the
bank for general corporate and working capital purposes. Accordingly, our
management will have broad discretion over how to utilize the majority of
the net proceeds of this offering. You will be relying on the judgment of
our management regarding application of these proceeds.


                                     12




THERE IS A LIMITED TRADING MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK AND YOU MAY NOT BE
ABLE TO RESELL YOUR SHARES AT OR ABOVE THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR THEM.

         The price of our common stock that you purchase in this offering
may decrease significantly. Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol "ALLE." A public trading market having the
desired characteristics of liquidity and order depends on the presence in
the market of willing buyers and sellers at any given time. While each of
the underwriters is currently a market maker in our common stock on the
Nasdaq National Market, none of them is obligated to remain a market maker.
The presence of willing buyers and sellers depends on the individual
decisions of investors and general economic conditions, all of which are
beyond our control.

FUTURE SALES OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK IN THE PUBLIC MARKET, OR THE
PERCEPTION THAT SUCH SALES MAY OCCUR, MAY DEPRESS OUR STOCK PRICE.

         If our existing shareholders sell our common stock in the public
market following this offering, or if there is a perception that these sales
may occur, the market price of our common stock could decline. Following
completion of this offering, our directors and executive officers will own
approximately 3.7 million shares of common stock (not including shares
issuable upon the exercise of options or restricted securities) that are
tradable in the public market, subject to limited restrictions imposed by
federal securities laws, beginning 180 days after this offering. In
addition, our Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 20% more
shares of our authorized but unissued common stock without the vote of our
shareholders. Additional issuances of our common stock would dilute the
percentage ownership of existing shareholders and may dilute the per share
book value of our common stock.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS MAY DELAY OR PREVENT AN ACQUISITION BY A THIRD
PARTY.

         Provisions in our Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and
the corporate laws of the State of Missouri may discourage potential
acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control. These
provisions include a staggered board, a supermajority voting requirement for
certain mergers and asset sales and the right of our Board of Directors to
consider the interests of non-shareholder constituencies in connection with
acquisition proposals. Furthermore, federal banking laws and regulations
require the Federal Reserve Board's approval prior to acquisition of
"control" of a bank holding company. These provisions, laws and regulations
could delay or prevent a transaction that might otherwise result in a
premium over then-current market prices for holders of our shares, and may
limit the ability of our shareholders to approve transactions that they may
deem to be in their best interests.

OUR ABILITY TO PAY DIVIDENDS ON OUR COMMON STOCK IS LIMITED.

         Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock largely depends on
our receipt of dividends from our bank. The amount of dividends that our
bank may pay to us is limited by federal and state banking laws and
regulations which require the bank to satisfy certain capitalization
requirements. Moreover, we may decide to limit the payment of dividends even
when we have the legal ability to pay dividends in order to retain earnings
for use in our business. In addition, if interest payments required in
connection with trust preferred securities issued by two of our subsidiaries
are not made or suspended or if we fail to comply with certain covenants
under our term loan agreement, we are contractually prohibited from paying
dividends on our common stock.




                                     13




          CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

         This prospectus includes forward-looking statements. We have based
these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections
about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things:

         o    the results of our efforts to implement our business strategy;

         o    adverse changes in the bank's loan portfolio and the resulting
              credit risk-related losses and expenses;

         o    our ability to manage our growth, including the successful
              expansion of the customer support, administrative
              infrastructure and internal management systems necessary to
              manage that growth;

         o    our ability to attract core deposits;

         o    adverse changes in the economy of our market area that could
              increase credit-related losses and expenses;

         o    adverse changes in real estate market conditions that could
              negatively affect credit risk;

         o    the consequences of continued bank acquisitions and mergers in
              our market area, resulting in fewer but much larger and
              financially stronger competitors, which could increase
              competition for financial services to our detriment;

         o    fluctuations in interest rates and market prices, which could
              negatively affect net interest margins, asset valuations and
              expense expectations;

         o    changes in regulatory requirements of federal and state
              agencies applicable to bank holding companies and our present
              and future bank subsidiaries;

         o    changes in accounting principles;

         o    general economic conditions;

         o    other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of this
              prospectus; and

         o    other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in
              our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         We undertake no obligation to publicly update or otherwise revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, the events discussed in any forward-looking statements in this
prospectus might not occur.




                                     14




                               USE OF PROCEEDS

         We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of the
1,500,000 shares of our common stock will be approximately $25.2 million
($29.0 million if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in
full). Our estimate is based upon an assumed offering price of $18.10 per
share (the closing sale price of our common stock on January 29, 2003),
after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses
of $325,000.

         We will contribute substantially all of the net proceeds of this
offering to the bank to strengthen its capital position, to support its
anticipated loan growth and for other general corporate purposes. The bank
will use a portion of the contributed capital to temporarily reduce
short-term indebtedness, including the borrowings currently outstanding
under a credit facility with the Federal Home Loan Bank, which may be
reborrowed, if necessary, to fund loan growth. The borrowings to be repaid
accrue interest at a weighted average rate of 6.1% per annum and have a
weighted average maturity of approximately 10 months. The bank also may use
a portion of the net proceeds to open new branches or acquire businesses or
branch locations in the future. However, we have no present understandings
or agreements or definitive plans relating to any specific acquisitions. We
intend to use any remaining proceeds not contributed to the bank for general
and working capital purposes.

         We have not yet determined the amount of net proceeds to be used
specifically for each of the foregoing purposes. Accordingly, our management
will have significant flexibility in applying the net proceeds from this
offering. Pending their use as described above, we may invest the net
proceeds from this offering in bank-qualified investments.

                    MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS

         Our common stock is listed for quotation on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "ALLE." As of January 29, 2003, there were 1,704
shareholders of record of our common stock.

         Set forth below are the high and low last sale prices for our
common stock (as reported by the Nasdaq National Market) for each quarter of
2001, 2002 and 2003 (through January 29, 2003) as well as the amount of cash
dividends per share we declared in each quarter.



                                                                                 HIGH       LOW    DIVIDEND
                                                                                 ----       ---    --------
                                                                                           
  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001
      First Quarter....................................................        $ 11.31   $  8.88    $0.060
      Second Quarter...................................................          12.73      9.60     0.060
      Third Quarter....................................................          14.99     10.53     0.060
      Fourth Quarter...................................................          13.81     11.40     0.060

  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002
      First Quarter....................................................        $ 17.50   $ 13.45    $0.065
      Second Quarter...................................................          19.00     15.72     0.065
      Third Quarter....................................................          18.80     15.02     0.065
      Fourth Quarter...................................................          18.24     15.99     0.065

  YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2003
      First Quarter (through January 29, 2003) ........................        $ 18.34   $ 18.00    $    -



                                     15




         On January 29, 2003, the closing sale price for our common stock,
as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, was $18.10 per share.

         In 2001, we declared four quarterly cash dividends on our common
stock of $0.060 per share, for an aggregate amount of approximately $2.1
million. In 2002, we declared four quarterly cash dividends on our common
stock of $0.065 per share, for an aggregate amount of approximately $4.0
million. We have announced an increase in our quarterly dividend to $0.070
per share, to be effective with our first dividend declared in 2003. We
generally declare and pay cash dividends quarterly. Because substantially
all of the funds available for the payment of cash dividends are derived
from the bank, future cash dividends will depend primarily upon the bank's
earnings, financial condition and need for funds, as well as government
policies and regulations applicable to the bank and us. As of December 31,
2002, the net profits of the bank available for distribution to us as
dividends without regulatory approval were approximately $70.6 million. If
required payments on outstanding trust preferred securities issued by two of
our subsidiaries are not made or suspended or if we fail to comply with
certain covenants under our term loan agreement, we will be prohibited from
paying dividends on our common stock.







                                     16




                               CAPITALIZATION

         The following tables set forth our unaudited consolidated
capitalization and regulatory capital ratios (1) at September 30, 2002, (2)
on a pro forma basis to reflect the sale of our wholly-owned banking
subsidiary, Bank of Ste. Genevieve, to First Banks, Inc. in exchange for
974,150 shares of our common stock currently held by First Banks, Inc. as if
the proposed transaction was completed as of September 30, 2002, and (3) on
a pro forma basis to reflect the sale of Bank of Ste. Genevieve to First
Banks, Inc. as if the proposed transaction was completed as of September 30,
2002 and on an as adjusted basis to reflect the sale of 1,500,000 shares of
common stock offered by us pursuant to this prospectus at an assumed public
offering price of $18.10 per share and the application of the estimated net
proceeds from the sale. This information should be read in conjunction with
our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.



                                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
                                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        PRO FORMA
                                                                     ACTUAL           PRO FORMA        AS ADJUSTED
                                                                     ------           ---------        -----------
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                                              
INDEBTEDNESS
Bank borrowings................................................   $    35,000        $    35,000       $
Other short-term borrowings....................................        37,230             37,230
Federal Home Loan Bank advances................................       305,814            304,172
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in
   subordinated debentures.....................................        57,250             57,250
                                                                  -----------        -----------       -----------
   Total indebtedness..........................................   $   435,294        $   433,652       $
                                                                  ===========        ===========       ===========


SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized;
   15,889,500 shares outstanding actual; 14,915,350 shares
   pro forma; 16,415,350 shares pro forma as adjusted (1)......   $       159        $       149       $
Capital surplus................................................       116,074            114,144
Retained earnings..............................................        39,942             40,109
Treasury stock, at cost; no shares outstanding actual;
   974,150 shares pro forma and pro forma as adjusted..........            --            (15,830)
Accumulated other comprehensive income.........................         4,271              3,974
                                                                  -----------        -----------       -----------
   Total shareholders' equity..................................       160,446            142,546
                                                                  -----------        -----------       -----------
Total capitalization...........................................   $   217,696        $   199,796       $
                                                                  ===========        ===========       ===========

Book value per share...........................................   $     10.10        $      9.56       $
Tangible book value per share (2)..............................   $      6.56        $      6.05       $


                                                                          SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
                                        "WELL-         -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                     CAPITALIZED"                                                         PRO FORMA
                                     STANDARD(3)              ACTUAL               PRO FORMA             AS ADJUSTED
                                ---------------------  --------------------  --------------------   --------------------
                                ALLEGIANT   ALLEGIANT  ALLEGIANT  ALLEGIANT  ALLEGIANT  ALLEGIANT   ALLEGIANT  ALLEGIANT
                                  BANK       BANCORP     BANK      BANCORP     BANK      BANCORP      BANK      BANCORP
                                ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------   ---------  ---------
                                                                                       
CAPITAL RATIOS
Total risk-based capital ratio    10.0%        N/A      10.33%       9.87%    10.33%      9.38%          %           %
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio    6.0         N/A       9.28        8.51      9.28       8.02
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio      5.0         N/A       7.58        6.82      7.58       6.51


---------------
(1) The number of shares outstanding does not give effect to 1,219,291
    shares reserved for issuance under our stock option plans (of which
    options to purchase 1,176,454 shares at a weighted average price of
    $12.66 were outstanding).

(2) Tangible book value per share equals total assets, less intangible
    assets, including goodwill, divided by the number of shares outstanding
    or assumed to be outstanding.

(3) Reflects the minimum amount of capital necessary to meet the
    "well-capitalized" regulatory standard for banks. As of September 30,
    2002, we exceeded the minimum "well-capitalized" standard for all Tier 1
    leverage, Tier 1 risk-based capital and total risk-based capital ratios.
    Upon completion of this offering, we will meet the "well-capitalized"
    standard for all three risk capital measures.



                                     17




                                 MANAGEMENT

         The following table sets forth certain information regarding our
directors and executive officers:



NAME                                  AGE                           POSITION
----                                  ---                           --------
                                            
Marvin S. Wool.........................74         Chairman of the Board
Shaun R. Hayes.........................43         Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert L. Chambers.....................41         Director
Leland B. Curtis.......................59         Director
Kevin R. Farrell.......................51         Director and Secretary
Richard C. Fellhauer...................60         Director
Leon A. Felman.........................67         Director
Douglas P. Helein......................51         Director
Michael R. Hogan.......................49         Director
C. Virginia Kirkpatrick................69         Director
Nancy C. Pechloff......................50         Director
Thomas M. Teschner.....................46         Director
Robert E. Wallace, Jr..................46         Director
John L. Weiss..........................47         Director
Lee S. Wielansky.......................51         Director
Jeffrey S. Schatz......................45         Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer
Paul F. Glarner........................54         Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer
Arthur E. Weiss........................43         Senior Vice President, Wealth Management
Thomas A. Daiber.......................44         Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


         Marvin S. Wool has served as a director since 1990 and as our
Chairman and Chairman of our bank since March 1992. From March 1992 through
1998, Mr. Wool served as our Chief Executive Officer. For more than five
years, Mr. Wool has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Dash Multi-Corp, Inc., the holding company for subsidiary companies located
in Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, California and Oregon that
are in the chemical, cloth coating, carpet and rubber products industries.

         Shaun R. Hayes has served as a director and our President since
1989 and became our Chief Executive Officer in January 1999. Additionally,
Mr. Hayes has served as a director of our bank since 1990, and as President
and Chief Executive Officer of our bank since May 1992.

         Robert L. Chambers has served as a director since December 2000.
Mr. Chambers has been President of Huntleigh Securities Corp., a brokerage
company, since September 2000. Prior to that time, he was Chief Executive
Officer of K.W. Chambers & Co., a regional, full-service broker/dealer, for
more than five years.

         Leland B. Curtis has served as a director since 1996. Mr. Curtis has
been a partner at Curtis, Oetting, Heinz, Garrett & O'Keefe, P.C., a law
firm located in St. Louis, Missouri, for more than five years.

         Kevin R. Farrell has served as a director since 1989 and as our
Secretary since 1994 and as a director of our bank since 1990. Mr. Farrell
has been President of St. Louis Steel Products, Inc., a steel fabricating
company, for more than five years.


                                     18




         Richard C. Fellhauer has served as a director since December 2000.
Mr. Fellhauer has been one of the bank's Senior Vice Presidents since
November 2000. Prior to that time, Mr. Fellhauer was the President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Equality Bancorp, the holding
company for Equality Savings Bank, from 1982 to November 2000.

         Leon A. Felman has served as a director since 1992 and as a
director of our bank since 2000. Mr. Felman has been a private investor
since 1999. For more than 30 years before that time, he was associated with
Sage Systems, Inc., a franchisee of Arby's restaurants in the St. Louis
area, and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Felman
serves on the board of directors of Dynex, Inc., a Richmond, Virginia-based
mortgage real estate investment trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

         Douglas P. Helein has served as a director since October 2001. Mr.
Helein has been an insurance broker of Welsch, Flatness & Lutz, Inc., an
insurance agency, for more than five years. He was a director of Southside
Bancshares Corp., the holding company for South Side National Bank, from
1992 through September 2001 and was appointed as a director of our company
under our merger agreement with Southside.

         Michael R. Hogan has served as a director since October 2000. Mr.
Hogan has been Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer and
Vice President of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, a life science company, since
April 1999. Prior to that time, he served three years as Corporate Vice
President and Controller for Monsanto Company, a St. Louis based
manufacturer of agriculture and biotechnology products and other consumer
products.

         C. Virginia Kirkpatrick has served as a director since 1990. Ms.
Kirkpatrick has been President of CVK Personal Management & Training
Specialists, a business consulting and human resource management firm, for
more than five years.

         Nancy C. Pechloff has served as a director since November 2002. Ms.
Pechloff has been an Adjunct Professor of Accounting at the Olin School of
Business at Washington University in St. Louis since September 2002. Prior
to that time, she was a Senior Audit Partner for 29 years at Arthur
Andersen.

         Thomas M. Teschner has served as a director since October 2001. Mr.
Teschner has been a private investor since October 2001. Prior to such time,
he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Southside Bancshares
Corp. from 1992 through September 2001 and was appointed as a director of
our company under our merger agreement with Southside.

         Robert E. Wallace, Jr. has served as a director since October 2000.
Mr. Wallace has been the Senior Vice President of Administration/General
Counsel of the St. Louis Rams, a professional football team, since 1995.

         John L. Weiss has served as a director since March 1999 and as a
director of our bank since 1996. Mr. Weiss has been President of Brentwood
Volvo, an automobile dealership in St. Louis, Missouri, for more than 14
years and has been the General Manager of Feld Toyota, an automobile
dealership located in St. Louis, since February 2000.

         Lee S. Wielansky has served as a director since 1990 and was a
director of our bank from January 1999 to November 2001. Mr. Wielansky also
served as Vice Chairman of our bank from February 1999 to November 2001.
Mr. Wielansky has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of JDN
Development Company since November 2000 and a member of its board of
directors since February 2001. He has been a member of the board of
directors of Acadia Realty, a New York Stock Exchange-


                                     19




listed real estate investment trust, since June 2000. Prior to that time, he
was Managing Director of Investments and a member of the board of directors
of Regency Realty Corporation, a publicly-held real estate investment trust,
for more than three years and was the President and Chief Executive Officer
of Midland Development Group, a real estate development company, for more
than five years.

         Jeffrey S. Schatz has served as our one of our Executive Vice
Presidents and our Chief Operations Officer since January 2000. Upon Mr.
Daiber's resignation as our Chief Financial Officer, we intend to appoint
Mr. Schatz to serve as our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining us, Mr.
Schatz served as Senior Vice President - Funds Management of Sky Financial
Group, Inc., a Bowling Green, Ohio bank holding company, for more than nine
years.

         Paul F. Glarner has served as one of our Executive Vice Presidents
and our Chief Lending Officer since 1997. Prior to joining us, Mr. Glarner
served as an officer of Mercantile Bank, now U.S. Bank, for more than five
years.

         Arthur E. Weiss has served as our Senior Vice President of Wealth
Management since 2000. Prior to joining us, Mr. Weiss served as the
President of The Weiss Group, Inc., an accounting and consulting firm. He
founded the firm in 1991 and sold it to a publicly-traded company in 1998.
From 1982 to 1991 Mr. Weiss was a tax manager with a Big 5 public accounting
firm.

         Thomas A. Daiber has served as one of our Executive Vice Presidents
and our Chief Financial Officer since May 1999. Mr. Daiber has announced
that, within the next few months, he intends to resign from his position as
our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and become
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for the State Bank of
Aviston in southwestern Illinois on a full-time basis. Mr. Daiber has been
employed by us since March 1997 and served most recently as the Director of
Internal Auditing.






                                     20




          STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

         The table below sets forth the beneficial ownership of our common
stock as of January 29, 2003, of each person we know to beneficially own 5%
or more of the common stock, each of our directors, the executive officers
named individually in our most recent proxy statement and all of our
directors and executive officers as a group. The number of beneficially
owned shares includes shares over which the named person, directly or
indirectly through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or
otherwise, has or shares (1) voting power, which includes the power to vote,
or direct the voting of, such security; or (2) investment power, which
includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such
security. All shares of a named person are deemed to be subject to that
person's sole voting and investment power unless otherwise indicated. Shares
subject to stock options are included as outstanding shares of common stock,
except if these options are not exercisable within 60 days after January 29,
2003.



                                                                             NUMBER OF SHARES         PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                                   BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1)     COMMON STOCK
------------------------                                                   ---------------------     ------------
                                                                                                
First Banks, Inc. (2)....................................................        1,205,929               7.4%
Robert L. Chambers (3)...................................................           32,945                 *
Leland B. Curtis (4).....................................................           58,860                 *
Kevin R. Farrell (5).....................................................          362,688               2.2
Richard C. Fellhauer (6).................................................          155,663               1.0
Leon A. Felman (7).......................................................        1,229,011               7.6
Shaun R. Hayes (8).......................................................          515,185               3.1
Douglas P. Helein (9)....................................................          310,722               1.9
Michael R. Hogan (10)....................................................           22,500                 *
C. Virginia Kirkpatrick (11).............................................          155,804               1.0
Nancy C. Pechloff........................................................            2,679                 *
Thomas M. Teschner (12)..................................................          203,827               1.3
Robert E. Wallace, Jr. (13)..............................................           18,242                 *
John L. Weiss (14).......................................................           38,304                 *
Lee S. Wielansky (15)....................................................          153,628               1.0
Marvin S. Wool (16)......................................................          791,573               4.9
Jeffrey S. Schatz (17)...................................................           38,362                 *
Paul F. Glarner (18).....................................................           52,550                 *
Arthur E. Weiss (19).....................................................           21,138                 *
Thomas A. Daiber (20)....................................................           49,004                 *

All directors and executive officers as a group (21).....................        4,212,685              26.0%


---------
* Less than 1%

(1)   Except as otherwise indicated, each individual has sole voting and
      investment power over the shares listed beside his or her name and is
      deemed to own shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options which
      were exercisable at January 29, 2003 or which were to become
      exercisable within 60 days thereafter. The percentage calculations for
      beneficial ownership are based upon 16,202,057 shares of our common
      stock that were issued and outstanding as of January 29, 2003, plus,
      with respect to each individual and for all directors and executive
      officers as a group, the number of shares subject to options that may
      be acquired upon exercise within 60 days after January 29, 2003.

(2)   First Banks, Inc.'s address is 135 North Meramec, Clayton, Missouri
      63105. The number of shares reported beneficially owned by First
      Banks, Inc. is based upon information furnished by our transfer agent,
      UMB Bank, n.a. In September 2002, we entered into an exchange
      agreement that provides for First Banks, Inc. to acquire our
      wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Bank of Ste. Genevieve, in exchange
      for approximately 974,150 shares of Allegiant common stock that is
      currently held by First Banks, Inc. The transaction, which is subject
      to regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in the first half
      of 2003. After the transaction is completed, First Banks, Inc. will
      own approximately 231,779 shares, or 1.4%, of our outstanding common
      stock.


                                     21




(3)   Total includes 17,734 shares subject to stock options exercisable
      within 60 days.

(4)   Total includes 14,533 shares held jointly with Mr. Curtis's spouse,
      13,464 shares held in Mr. Curtis's IRA plan, 5,971 shares held in the
      Curtis, Oetting, et. al. profit sharing plan, and 24,850 shares
      subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

(5)   Total includes 196,509 shares held of record by Pentastar Family
      Holdings, Inc., 96,052 shares held of record by Cuttyhunk Investments,
      LLC, 1,771 shares held by Fidelity Investments as Trustee for the IRA
      of Mr. Farrell's spouse, 1,512 shares held by NFSC/FMTC as Trustee for
      the IRA of Mr. Farrell's spouse, 54,011 shares held by Fidelity
      Investments in Mr. Farrell's IRA plans, and 9,950 shares subject to
      stock options exercisable within 60 days.

(6)   Total includes 23,229 shares held jointly with Mr. Fellhauer's spouse,
      1,839 shares held by Mr. Fellhauer as custodian for his two children,
      3,661 shares held in the IRA account of Mr. Fellhauer's spouse, 77,171
      shares held subject to our section 401(k) plan, 23,035 shares held in
      Mr. Fellhauer's IRA plan, 383 shares held jointly with Michael Walsh,
      and 25,734 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

(7)   Total includes 62,400 shares held in the Leon A. Felman Family Trust
      of which Mr. Felman is the voting trustee, 1,111,100 shares held in the
      Felman Family Partnership, LP of which Mr. Felman is the voting
      partner, and 5,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within
      60 days. Mr. Felman's address is 25 Brentmoor Park, St. Louis, Missouri
      63105.

(8)   Total includes 5,140 shares held for the benefit of Mr. Hayes's
      children as to which he has voting rights, 2 shares held of record by
      Mr. Hayes's spouse; 4,425 shares held subject to our section 401(k)
      plan, 21,000 shares of restricted stock, and 118,074 shares subject to
      stock options exercisable within 60 days.

(9)   Total includes 5,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within
      60 days.

(10)  Total includes 12,500 shares subject to stock options exercisable
      within 60 days.

(11)  Total includes 16,033 shares held jointly with Ms. Kirkpatrick's
      spouse, 3,015 shares held of record by Ms. Kirkpatrick's spouse,
      25,927 shares held in the IRA of Ms. Kirkpatrick's spouse, 7,118
      shares held jointly with Ms. Kirkpatrick's children, 9,550 shares held
      in Mrs. Kirkpatrick's SEP account, and 14,950 shares subject to stock
      options exercisable within 60 days.

(12)  Total includes 23,958 shares held jointly with Mr. Teschner's spouse,
      and 5,000 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

(13)  Total includes 5,741 shares held jointly with Mr. Wallace's spouse,
      and 12,500 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

(14)  Total includes 3,223 shares held in the IRA account of Mr. Weiss's
      spouse, 696 shares held jointly with Mr. Weiss's spouse, 750 shares
      held jointly with Mr. Weiss's mother, 5,892 shares held in Mr. Weiss's
      IRA plan, and 18,094 shares subject to stock options exercisable
      within 60 days.

(15)  Total includes 24,850 shares subject to stock options exercisable
      within 60 days.

(16)  Total includes 76,005 shares held by the Dash Multi-Corp. Pension
      Plan, 63,636 shares held in trusts for the benefit of Mr. Wool's
      children, 11,216 shares held jointly with Mr. Wool's spouse, and
      47,845 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

(17)  Total includes 1,162 shares held subject to our section 401(k) plan,
      3,000 shares held jointly with Mr. Schatz's spouse, 12,000 shares of
      restricted stock, and 22,200 shares subject to stock options
      exercisable within 60 days.

(18)  Total includes 4,522 shares held subject to our section 401(k) plan,
      111 shares held by Mr. Glarner as custodian for his daughter, 1,074
      shares held jointly with Mr. Glarner's spouse, 12,000 shares of
      restricted stock, and 31,200 shares subject to stock options
      exercisable within 60 days.

(19)  Total includes 4,000 shares held jointly with Mr. Weiss's spouse, 614
      shares held subject to our section 401(k) plan, 524 shares held in Mr.
      Weiss's IRA plan, 7,000 shares of restricted stock, and 10,000 shares
      subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

(20)  Total includes 1,299 shares held subject to our section 401(k) plan,
      10,500 shares of restricted stock, and 30,000 shares subject to stock
      options exercisable within 60 days.

(21)  Total includes 62,500 shares of restricted stock, and 436,081 shares
      subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days.


                                     22




                        DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

         The following summary description of our capital stock is qualified
in its entirety by reference to our Restated Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws.

         We are authorized to issue 30,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01
par value per share. As of January 29, 2003, there were 16,202,057 shares of
common stock outstanding and 1,176,454 shares reserved for issuance upon
exercise of outstanding stock options with a weighted average price of
$12.66.

DIVIDEND RIGHTS

         The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends
when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, subject to the rights of
holders of then outstanding shares, if any, having preferences with respect
to dividends. Under Missouri law, we may not authorize and make
distributions if, after giving effect to the distribution,

         o    we would be unable to meet our debts as they become due in the
              usual course of business; or

         o    our total assets would be less than the sum of (1) our total
              liabilities plus, (2) the amount that would be needed, if we
              were to be dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy
              any preferential rights of shareholders upon dissolution
              superior to the rights of those shareholders receiving the
              distribution.

         If we do not make required payments on outstanding trust preferred
  securities, or are in violation of certain covenants under our term loan
  agreement, we are prohibited from paying dividends on our common stock.

         As a bank holding company, our ability to pay distributions will be
affected by the ability of our bank to pay dividends. Our ability, as well
as the ability of the bank, to pay dividends in the future currently is, and
could be further, influenced by bank regulatory requirements and capital
guidelines.

VOTING RIGHTS

         Except as described below regarding the election of directors, each
holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share. The quorum for
shareholders' meetings is a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote represented in person or by proxy.

PROVISIONS REGARDING CERTAIN BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

         Our Restated Articles of Incorporation require the affirmative vote
of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of our capital
stock to approve a merger and certain other business combinations involving
any holder of 5% or more of our common stock and us. However, if 75% or more
of the members of our Board of Directors approve the transaction, the
supermajority shareholder vote is not required.

         As of January 29, 2003, our directors and executive officers own
approximately 26% of our outstanding common stock. Upon the completion of
this offering and the consummation of the proposed sale of Bank of Ste.
Genevieve to First Banks, Inc., our directors and officers would own
approximately 25% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these
insiders will effectively control the election of our Board of Directors and
thus our direction and future operations, and our other shareholders may
lack an effective vote with respect to these matters. Consequently, the
directors and executive officers possess


                                     23




sufficient voting power to significantly affect the vote on, and perhaps
prevent, certain mergers and other business combinations.

ELECTION, CLASSIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

         Our Restated Articles of Incorporation provide for a classified
Board of Directors, with approximately one-third of the entire Board of
Directors being elected each year and with directors serving for terms of
three years. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast. Holders of
common stock have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of
directors. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that any director,
or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed at any time by our
shareholders, without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least 80% of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors, and
may be removed for cause by an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
entitled to vote.

SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF TRANSACTIONS

         An affirmative vote of at least 80% of the shares of our common
stock is required to amend the provisions of our Restated Articles of
Incorporation relating to the removal of a director or the approval
requirement for a merger or business combination with a holder of 5% or more
of our common stock. In addition, under Missouri law an affirmative vote of
at least two-thirds of the shares of our common stock is required to approve
a merger or sale of substantially all of our assets. Except for the
foregoing, any other proposal voted on by the shareholders will be approved
if the majority of the votes cast at the shareholders' meeting (at which a
quorum is present) called for the purpose of considering any such action are
cast in favor of the proposal.

LIQUIDATION RIGHTS

         In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders
of our common stock are entitled to receive equally and pro-rata per share
any assets distributable to shareholders, after payment of debts and
liabilities.

OTHER MATTERS

         Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive rights or
conversion rights with respect to our common stock. Except in connection
with certain business combinations and except as noted below, we can issue
new shares of authorized but unissued common stock without shareholder
approval. The bylaws of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. governing the Nasdaq
National Market, on which our common stock is quoted, require issuers to
obtain shareholder approval for the issuance of securities in connection
with the acquisition of a business, company, assets, property or securities
representing such interests where the present or potential issuance of
common stock or securities convertible into common stock in connection with
such acquisition could result in an increase of 20% or more in the
outstanding shares of common stock. Accordingly, the future issuance of
common stock may require shareholder approval under those rules.

CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS

         We are subject to the business combination provisions under
Missouri law, which allow our Board of Directors to retain discretion over
the approval of certain business combinations. We are also subject to the
control shares acquisition provision under Missouri law, which places
restrictions on the voting rights of an acquiror with respect to any shares
of voting stock which increase its equity ownership to more than specified
thresholds unless certain conditions are satisfied. Missouri law also

                                     24




permits our Board of Directors to consider the interests of non-shareholder
constituencies in connection with acquisition proposals. These provisions
may make it more difficult for there to be a change in control of us or for
us to enter into certain business combinations than if we were not subject
to these provisions.

TRANSFER AGENT

         UMB Bank, n.a., Kansas, City, Missouri serves as the transfer agent
of our issued and outstanding common stock.








                                     25



                                UNDERWRITING

         Subject to the terms and conditions of an underwriting agreement,
the underwriters named below, for whom Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated
is acting as representative, have severally agreed to purchase from us, and
we have agreed to sell to them, an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of common
stock in the amounts set forth opposite each underwriter's name below:



                                                                        NUMBER OF
         UNDERWRITERS                                                    SHARES
         ------------                                                --------------
                                                                  
         Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated......................
         RBC Dain Rauscher Inc.....................................
         Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated..................
         Howe Barnes Investments, Inc..............................
                                                                     --------------

                  Total............................................      1,500,000
                                                                     ==============


         The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
underwriters are subject to various conditions contained in the underwriting
agreement. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides
that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be
increased or, in certain cases, that the underwriting agreement may be
terminated. The nature of the underwriters' obligation is such that they are
committed to purchase and pay for all of the shares of common stock (other
than those covered by the over-allotment option discussed below) if any are
purchased.

         We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to
225,000 additional shares of common stock at the same price per share to be
paid by the underwriters for the other shares of common stock being offered.
This option is exercisable from time to time for 30 days after the date of
this prospectus, but may be exercised by the underwriters only to cover any
over-allotments. If the underwriters elect to purchase any of the shares of
common stock under this option, each underwriter will be committed to
purchase the additional shares of common stock in approximately the same
proportion allocated to them in the table above.

         At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 100,000 shares
of our common stock offered by this prospectus for sale to our directors and
officers at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
prospectus. These persons must commit to purchase no later than the close of
business on the day following the date of this prospectus. The number of
shares available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the
extent these persons purchase the reserved shares. We are not making loans
to these executive officers or directors to purchase such shares.

         We have agreed that, without the prior consent of the underwriters,
we will not directly or indirectly offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any
shares of common stock or any securities which may be converted into or
exchanged for common stock for a period of 180 days after the effective date
of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, subject to
certain exceptions. All of our executive officers and directors have agreed
that, without the prior written consent of the underwriters, they will not
directly or indirectly offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
common stock or any securities which may be converted into or exchanged for
common stock for a period ending 180 days after the effective date of the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, subject to
certain exceptions.

         The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting
discount and proceeds to us before expenses. Certain expenses of the
underwriters that are reimbursable by us are not included in the

                                     26




table. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the
underwriters of their over-allotment option.



                                                   PER SHARE      WITHOUT OPTION        WITH OPTION
                                                   ---------      --------------        -----------
                                                                               
Public offering price..........................    $              $                     $
Underwriting discount..........................
Proceeds, before expenses......................


         The underwriters will initially offer the shares of common stock to
the public at the price stated on the cover page. The underwriters may offer
shares of common stock to selected dealers at the public offering price less
a concession of up to $    per share. Those dealers may reallow a discount not
in excess of $    per share to other brokers and dealers. After the initial
offering of the shares, the underwriters may change the offering price,
concession, discount and other selling terms.

         We estimate that we will spend approximately $325,000 for printing,
depository fees, legal and accounting fees and other expenses of the
offering in addition to the underwriting compensation.

         In connection with the offering, the underwriters and their
affiliates may engage in transactions, effected in accordance with the
Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation M, that are intended to
stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the common
stock. These transactions may include over-allotment or other mechanisms
through which the underwriters create a selling syndicate short position by
selling more shares of common stock than the underwriters are committed to
purchase. The underwriters may elect to cover any short position by
purchasing common stock in the open market or by exercising the
over-allotment option. The underwriters also may bid for, and purchase, the
common stock, including at a price above that which might otherwise prevail
in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in
the market price of the common stock. The underwriters may impose penalty
bids under which selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other
dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if shares of common
stock previously distributed in the offering are repurchased by the
underwriters. Any of these transactions may maintain or stabilize the price
for the common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in
the open market. None of the underwriters or we make any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the
transactions described above may have on the market price of the common
stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in any of these
transactions and may discontinue them at any time without notice if they
commence them. The underwriters may effect these transactions on the Nasdaq
National Market or elsewhere.

         The underwriters and selling group members may also engage in
passive market making transactions in the common stock in accordance with
Rule 103 of Regulation M. In general, a passive market maker may not bid for
or purchase shares of common stock at a price that exceeds the highest
independent bid. In addition, the net daily purchases made by any passive
market maker generally may not exceed 30% of its average daily trading
volume in the common stock or 200 shares, whichever is greater. A passive
market maker's bid size may not exceed the minimum quotation size for the
common stock or the market maker's remaining purchase capacity, whichever is
less. A passive market maker must identify passive market making bids as
such on the Nasdaq electronic inter-dealer reporting system. Passive market
making may stabilize or maintain the market price of the common stock above
independent market levels. Underwriters and dealers are not required to
engage in passive market making and may end passive market making activities
at any time.


                                     27




         We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against liabilities
arising from the offering of the shares of common stock, including civil
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments
that the underwriters may be required to make in connection with those
liabilities.

         Legg Mason assisted us in evaluating and rendered an opinion to our
Board of Directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to us
of the approximately 974,150 shares of our common stock to be received by us
in connection with our proposed disposition of the shares of Bank of Ste.
Genevieve to First Banks, Inc. We have compensated Legg Mason for advising
us and rendering this opinion. Under the rules of the NASD, Legg Mason's
compensation for such services may be considered by the NASD to be
compensation for the sale of common stock offered in this prospectus even
though such compensation is not intended for or contingent upon the sale of
the common stock. In addition, certain of the underwriters and their
affiliates have provided in the past and may provide in the future
investment banking services for us or our affiliates for which they would
expect to receive customary fees and commissions. The underwriters are
currently market makers in our common stock on the Nasdaq National Market.

                                LEGAL MATTERS

         Our attorneys, Thompson Coburn LLP, St. Louis, Missouri, will opine
as to the validity of the common stock offered by us, as well as certain
other legal matters related to the sale of the shares. Certain legal matters
relating to the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Barack
Ferrazzano Kirschbaum Perlman & Nagelberg LLC, Chicago, Illinois.

                                   EXPERTS

         Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and
2000 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001,
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the registration
statement, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as
set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference herein and in
the registration statement in reliance upon such report given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                  WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, we file annual, quarterly and special
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document we file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Our filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission also are available to the public from the Securities and Exchange
Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov. Please call the Securities and
Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information. Our common
stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market. In addition, we maintain a
website at www.allegiantbank.com.

         This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and does not contain all of the
information set forth in the registration statement. You should consult the
registration statement for further information with respect to our company
and these securities.

                         INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

         The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to "incorporate by
reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can
disclose important information to you by referring you to those


                                     28




documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be
part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission will automatically update and supersede
this information and information in this prospectus. We incorporate by
reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until all of the securities are sold.

         o    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
              2001;

         o    Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A for the quarters ended March
              31, 2002 and June 30, 2002;

         o    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
              30, 2002;

         o    Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 2, 2002; and

         o    The description of our common stock set forth in Item 11 of
              our Registration Statement on Form 10-SB (Reg. No. 0-26350),
              filed June 30, 1995.

         We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to
whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that
has been incorporated by reference into the prospectus but not delivered
with the prospectus. You may request a copy of any of these filings, at no
cost, by writing or calling us at the following address: Secretary,
Allegiant Bancorp, Inc., 10401 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63131,
telephone (314) 692-8200.







                                     29




============================================================================

                              1,500,000 SHARES



                          [ALLEGIANT BANCORP LOGO]




                                COMMON STOCK






                               ---------------

                                 PROSPECTUS

                               ---------------


LEGG MASON WOOD WALKER
     INCORPORATED

              RBC CAPITAL MARKETS

                                STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY
                                       INCORPORATED

                                               HOWE BARNES INVESTMENTS, INC.

                                       , 2003

============================================================================





                                   PART II

                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

         The following table sets forth the expenses in connection with the
issuance and distribution of the shares offered hereby, all of which will be
paid by the Company (all amounts other than the Securities and Exchange
Commission, NASD and Nasdaq fees are estimated):


                                                               
SEC registration fee .........................................    $        2,862
NASD review fee...............................................             3,612
Nasdaq National Market listing fee............................            17,250
Transfer agent's fees and expenses............................            10,000
Legal fees and expenses
   (other than Blue Sky fees and expenses)....................           100,000
Accounting fees and expenses..................................            75,000
Printing and engraving expenses...............................            75,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses....................................             5,000
Miscellaneous.................................................            36,276
                                                                  --------------

         Total................................................    $      325,000
                                                                  ==============


ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         Sections 351.355(1) and (2) of The General and Business Corporation
Law of the State of Missouri provide that a corporation may indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful,
except that, in the case of an action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation, the corporation may not indemnify such persons against
judgments and fines and no person shall be indemnified as to any claim,
issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the
corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the
action or suit was brought determines upon application that such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for proper expenses. Section
351.355(3) provides that, to the extent that a director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation has been successful in the defense of any such
action, suit or proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall
be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding.
Section 351.355(7) provides that a corporation may provide additional
indemnification to any person indemnifiable under subsection (1) or (2),
provided such additional indemnification is authorized by the corporation's
articles of incorporation or an amendment thereto or by a
shareholder-approved bylaw or agreement, and provided further that no person
shall thereby be indemnified against conduct which was finally adjudged to
have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest or willful
misconduct.

                                    II-1




         Article XII of our Bylaws provides that we extend to our directors
and officers the indemnification specified in Sections 351.355(1) and (2)
and the additional indemnification authorized in Section 351.355(7) of The
General and Business Corporation Law.

         Pursuant to directors' and officers' liability insurance policies,
with total annual limits of $2.0 million, our directors and officers are
insured, subject to the limits, retention, exceptions and other terms and
conditions of the policies, against liability for any actual or alleged
error, misstatement, misleading statement, act or omission, or neglect or
breach of duty by our directors or officers, individually or collectively,
or any matter claimed against them solely by reason of their being our
directors or officers.

         The underwriting agreement also provides for indemnification by the
underwriters of our officers and directors for certain liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS

See Exhibit Index.

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS

        (a)       The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes, that for
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the registrant's Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an Employee Benefit Plan's Annual Report pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by
reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and this
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.

        (b)       The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

                  (1) For purposes of determining liability under the
        Securities Act of 1933 the information omitted from the form of
        prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance
        upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the
        registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the
        Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this
        registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

                  (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
        Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains
        a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration
        statement relating to the securities offered therein, and this
        offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
        initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)       Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in
the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of
its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a

                                    II-2




court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification
by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.





                                    II-3




                                 SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the County of St. Louis and State of Missouri
on the 30th day of January, 2003.

                                       ALLEGIANT BANCORP, INC.



                                       By /s/ Shaun R. Hayes
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         Shaun R. Hayes, President and Chief
                                         Executive Officer

         Each of the undersigned hereby appoints Shaun R. Hayes and Jeffrey
S. Schatz, and each of them (with full power to act alone), as attorneys and
agents for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, for and in the
name, place and stead of the undersigned, to sign and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 any and
all amendments and exhibits to this registration statement and any
abbreviated registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) and any and
all applications, instruments and other documents to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pertaining to the registration of the
securities covered hereby, with full power and authority to do and perform
any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite or desirable.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed below by the following persons and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.



         SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                               DATE
         ---------                                   -----                               ----

                                                                              


/s/ Marvin S. Wool                          Chairman of the Board                   January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Marvin S. Wool



/s/ Shaun R. Hayes                          Director, President and Chief           January 30, 2003
------------------------------------        Executive Officer
Shaun R. Hayes



/s/ Robert L. Chambers                      Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Robert L. Chambers



/s/ Leland B. Curtis                        Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Leland B. Curtis



                                    II-4




/s/ Kevin R. Farrell                        Director and Secretary                  January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Kevin R. Farrell



/s/ Richard C. Fellhauer                    Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Richard C. Fellhauer



/s/ Leon A. Felman                          Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Leon A. Felman



/s/ Douglas P. Helein                       Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Douglas P. Helein


/s/ Michael R. Hogan                        Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Michael R. Hogan



/s/ C. Virginia Kirkpatrick                 Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
C. Virginia Kirkpatrick



/s/ Nancy C. Pechloff                       Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Nancy C. Pechloff



/s/ Thomas M. Teschner                      Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Thomas M. Teschner



/s/ Robert E. Wallace, Jr.                  Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Robert E. Wallace, Jr.



/s/ John L. Weiss                           Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
John L. Weiss





                                    II-5







/s/ Lee S. Wielansky                        Director                                January 30, 2003
------------------------------------
Lee S. Wielansky



/s/ Thomas A. Daiber                        Executive Vice President and Chief      January 30, 2003
------------------------------------        Financial Officer
Thomas A. Daiber










                                    II-6





                                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


  EXHIBIT                                        DESCRIPTION
  -------                                        -----------
               
    1             Underwriting Agreement.*

    4.1           Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, filed as Annex E to the Company's
                  Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-63212) is hereby incorporated by reference.

    4.2           Bylaws of the Company, as currently in effect, filed as Annex F to the Company's Registration
                  Statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-63212) is hereby incorporated by reference.

    5             Opinion of Thompson Coburn LLP.*

   23.1           Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

   23.3           Consent of Thompson Coburn LLP (included in Exhibit 5).*

   24             Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page).


----------
* To be filed by amendment.






                                    II-7