VE minutes with... FIVE Daniel Robinson

Q. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN BANKING?

A. I started my career as a teller for Simmons during my last semester of college at Arkansas, summer and fall of 2005. After I graduated, I started full-time as a management trainee in Pine Bluff, January 2006.

Q. WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR SUPPORT/ INSPIRATION?

A.My family and mentors. I am very blessed with a supportive family. My wife, kids, parents, brother, etc. are always there encouraging me to be the best version of myself. I’m also fortunate to have a group of mentors that let me lean on them for guidance and their knowledge.

Q. TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLY CAREER...LOOKING BACK, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

A.When I was in the management trainee program I was exposed to different departments of the bank- loan review, mortgage, trust, credit card, financial analysis, lending, loan operations, etc. It was

“I started my career as a teller for Simmons during my last semester of college at Arkansas, summer and fall of 2005. After I graduated, I started full-time as a management trainee in Pine Bluff, January 2006.” neat to spend time in all these different areas because I learned how they work and everything they did. It really helped me when I started as a lender. After I completed the trainee program, I worked in Fort Smith for several months and then transferred to our Jonesboro office where I spent the next 10 years. I was eager to learn and wanted to grow my portfolio. I was a little nervous in the beginning as well. I did not want to make a bad loan or decision. The nervousness slowly went away thanks to good mentors who helped me gain confidence in my decision making.

Q. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT - CAREER OR OTHERWISE?

A. Being a father to my three kids. I never knew how rewarding and challenging being a parent could be, but to see your kids grow and develop is something I am so thankful for every day.

Q. WHAT MOVIE CHARACTER ARE YOU MOST SIMILAR TO?

A. My wife says I am like Ted Lasso. I like to consider myself an optimist that finds the best in people or situations.