BANKER Q&A
FIVE VE minutes with...
Jay Wisener
President, Arkansas Region First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock
Q. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN BANKING?
A.
With a degree in finance, I knew that banking was something that I was interested in, even though my family didn’t have much history in working in banking. So, I talked to a friend from my hometown of Warren who worked for the Arkansas State Bank Department. He encouraged me to apply with the bank department. I was hired in April of 1992 and worked as a safety and soundness examiner for just under four years. It was a great way to learn a lot in a short time about the banking industry.
“To maintain a healthy and growing banking industry in Arkansas and beyond, it takes giving back and supporting our trade associations which are vital to the well-being of community banking in our state.”
16 • FALL 2023
Q. YOU SERVE ON THE ABA BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, WHY DO YOU FEEL SERVICE TO THIS ORGANIZATION IS IMPORTANT?
A.
To maintain a healthy and growing banking industry in Arkansas and beyond, it takes giving back and supporting our trade associations which are vital to the well-being of community banking in our state. The ABA provides a number of key resources that really help our industry, from training, networking, industry events and serving as a voice/representative in legislative affairs affecting the banking industry at both the state and national level. It’s very important to have the ABA representing the bankers in Arkansas as we are all busy doing our daily jobs of leading our community banks.
Q. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOSS AND A LEADER?
A.
To me, a leader is someone that leads by example and actually doesn’t mind rolling up his or her sleeves to get your hands dirty if need be to get the job done. A boss gives orders and just supervises. A true leader works side by side with his or her time. Leaders lead by doing and showing, not just by talking. Leaders also truly listen. My grandmother told me once, “There’s a reason God gave you two ears and one mouth!”
