RIGGLES, PHILLIPS TAKE LENDING ROLES AT BANK OF FAYETTEVILLE

Farmers & Merchants Bank and The Bank of Fayetteville announced Jenny Riggles, a long-time employee with the bank, as a new Consumer Loan Officer for the Fayetteville region.

"I’m thrilled to advance my career here at The Bank of Fayetteville,” Riggles said. “Northwest Arkansas is incredibly special to me, and I feel grateful to work with a group of people who value the community as much as I do. I started with the bank about nine years ago as a teller at our West Fork location. That season of learning taught me the core values of being a community banker and provided me with the skills to move forward into management and eventually into lending. I’m thankful for the journey thus far and am very excited for what’s to come.”

Bringing two decades of experience, Phil Phillips is taking on a new role as a Mortgage Loan Officer. Phillips has also spent a number of years with The Bank of Fayetteville.

"Banking is in my blood and so is Northwest Arkansas,” said Phillips. “I am beyond excited about the opportunity to help the people in our community with all their home loan needs. I have worked at The Bank of Fayetteville for a few years and in the banking industry for more than 20 years. I believe that The Bank of Fayetteville is a vital link in the chain of the community. I am thrilled to be a part of the growth of the bank, and am really looking forward to helping people find their forever homes.”

Farmers & Merchants Bank, headquartered in Stuttgart, is a locally-owned community bank with 26 locations across the state of Arkansas, including eight operating as The Bank of Fayetteville.

“NORTHWEST ARKANSAS IS INCREDIBLY SPECIAL TO ME, AND I FEEL GRATEFUL TO WORK WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO VALUE THE COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS I DO.”

Fayetteville Leader David Russell To Retire From First Security Bank

David Russell, president of First Security Bank Fayetteville since 2008, has announced his retirement effective March 14, 2024. A reception is planned in Fayetteville to honor his service with the Searcy-based statewide bank.

Russell, 69, began his career with First Security in 2002 as a lender and retail bank manager when there were six branches in Northwest Arkansas. The market has grown to 17 branches. He began his banking career in Texas and spent his early years working for a gas utility.

Hired by First Security Bank Market President Jim Taylor, Russell played a key role in obtaining the only bank branch on the University of Arkansas campus and in the construction of two new branches in Fayetteville. He says the Rutledge family, owners of First Security Bank, made the transition from big banking to family, community banking a joy.

Russell has been active in the Northwest Arkansas community through volunteer service. During his tenure at First Security Bank, he served on the Fayetteville Public Education Foundation board, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce board and Leadership Chair for Class 20, the local board and national committees for the American Diabetes Association, Fayetteville Public Library Foundation board, and Washington Regional Hospital Foundation board, for which he is incoming chair.

Chad Hudson Named Fnbc President

Chad Hudson has been promoted to president at FNBC Bank becoming the bank’s fourth president during the last 50 years.

Hudson has been with Ash Flat-based FNBC since 2011, serving in numerous roles such as community president for Mountain Home, executive vice president, chief lending officer, and regional president. He has been with the bank over the past decade, while the bank has doubled its asset size and expanded its footprint into new growth markets such as Jonesboro and West Plains.

As president, Hudson will oversee the bank’s daily operations with direct oversight over innovation and technology, human resources, marketing and operations.

“FNBC has a strong legacy of leadership, and I am honored to serve as its next President,” said Hudson. “In my career, I’ve worked with very strong leaders but none more impactful than Martin Carpenter and Marty Sellars. They’ve modeled impeccable work ethics and have shown true leadership through challenges and opportunities. It’s truly an honor to be selected for this incredible opportunity to continue to lead and build FNBC into the future and to serve with such a strong management team and talented group of community bankers.”

Hudson succeeds Marty Sellars, who will continue to serve as chief executive officer and on the board of directors. Sellars, a 40-year employee of FNBC, served as president since 2003 and has been CEO since 2016.

Hudson, who served as regional president and chief lending officer, is succeeded by Trent Brown, who is now executive vice president and chief lending officer. Brown will continue to serve as community president for the Jonesboro market, a position he’s held since early 2023.

Brown brings more than 20 years of banking experience to his role. He is now a member of the bank’s executive management team and is responsible for continued oversight of strategic growth and management of the loan portfolio.

FIRST NATIONAL BANKERS BANKSHARES, INC. HIRES

Reid Lynch For Fnbb Capital Markets Division

First National Bankers Bankshares, Inc. hired Reid Lynch to the position of Senior Vice President, FNBB Capital Markets. Lynch will be covering financial institutions in the state of Arkansas and assisting them with their needs as it relates to the investment portfolio and related services.

“We are thrilled to announce that Reid Lynch has joined our talented and capable team in Arkansas. While Reid’s 19-year track record in the Capital Markets business speaks for itself, being a native of Arkansas, he is the ideal candidate to represent First National Bankers Bank in that market,” said Chris Corts, President of FNBB Capital Markets.

Lynch obtained his Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Corporate Finance. He holds the Series 7 and 63 Securities licenses.