FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK PROMOTES TWO

The board of directors of Farmers and Merchants Bank and The Bank of Fayetteville announced the promotion of two employees to key leadership roles. Blake Holzhauer will serve as Chief Credit Officer and Sammie Smith will serve as the organization’s Chief Analytics Officer.

“As our institution continues to grow and expand into new markets, we remain focused on ensuring that our team has the experience and skill set to provide customers with the best products and services”, said Farmers and Merchants Bank President and CEO Brad Chambless. “Blake and Sammie are truly elite bankers with incredible work ethics, and their leadership has directly impacted our institution’s success. I am honored to announce these well-deserved promotions.”

Holzhauer joined Farmers and Merchants Bank in 2018 and has served as the Northwest Arkansas Market President and SVP, Chief Commercial Lending Officer before being named as the financial institution’s Chief Credit Officer. In his new role, he will oversee lending for 26 branches across the state. Holzhauer comes to his new position with 20 years of banking industry experience.

Smith started her career with Farmers and Merchants Bank, previously known as Integrity First Bank, of Mountain Home in 1998 in the Trust and Wealth Management Division. The majority of her tenure has been spent in Accounting and Finance where she has focused on budgeting, forecasting, and other bank management responsibilities. Before being named Chief Analytics Officer, Smith worked as the Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis Manager.

Five Bankers From Arkansas Graduate From Lsu Banking School

Five Arkansas bankers graduated with diplomas from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University this spring. The three-year program provides courses covering all aspects of banking, economics and related subjects. Students traveled from 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Mexico to participate in this session.

The five bankers receiving diplomas from Arkansas include:

Nicholas Lee Austin - Century Next Bank in Crossett;

Derek Bowman - Simmons Bank in Jonesboro;

Ian Scott Bryan - Simmons Bank in Russellville;

Carl E. Kirtley - Farm Credit in Pottsville; and

Matthew D. Pledger - FBT Bank & Mortgage in Fordyce.

The Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University is sponsored by 15 southern-state bankers associations in cooperation with the Division of Continuing Education at LSU. The Graduate School of Banking at LSU requires attendance on campus for three years, with extensive bank study assignments between sessions.

The faculty is comprised of more than 50 bankers, business and professional leaders, and educators from all parts of the U.S. During their three summer sessions at the Graduate School of Banking, students receive 210 hours of classroom instruction, planned evening study, and final examinations at the end of each session.