CITIZENS BANK RECOGNIZED BY AMERICAN BANKER

Batesville-based Citizens Bank was named one of the 2022 Best Banks to Work For. American Banker has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify banks that excel at creating positive and supportive workplaces for employees. Citizens Bank is the only Arkansas bank to be named on the list.

Citizens Bank earned the spot in the ranking of Best Banks to Work For based on an anonymous employee survey and a thorough review of the benefits and perks offered.

“We are honored to be recognized nationally for our ‘People First’ mission and culture,” said Adam Mitchell, President and CEO of Citizens Bank.

Chase earned a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Administration and Management and a Master of Business Administration from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. He serves as a Certified Bank Senior Examiner in the department’s Springdale office.

Mathis earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway and serves as a Certified Bank Senior Examiner in the Little Rock office.

“This year marks the first time Citizens has been recognized as one of the Best Banks to Work for by American Banker. We are the only bank in Arkansas to make the list. We are proud of this accomplishment but even more proud that we continue to foster a culture that supports and advances our employees.”

The full 2022 Best Banks to Work For list is featured at www.americanbanker.com.

Greg Rotter Corporate Chief Lending Officer

Greg Rotter Named Corporate Chief Lending Officer For Chambers Bank

Chambers Bank has announced the promotion of Greg Rotter as its Corporate Chief Lending Officer, a newly-created position that will oversee the lending operations of the bank’s 24 branches.

Rotter has been an executive officer at Chambers Bank since August 2017, serving as regional president for the western region, which includes branches in Fort Smith, Van Buren, Mansfield, Waldron and Mena. He has more than 25 years’ experience in banking, having served as a market president and commercial loan officer at two other Arkansas banks prior to joining the Chambers team.

“We are excited to have Greg in this position,” Chambers Bank President Mike Donnell said. “Throughout his time at Chambers, he has continually demonstrated exemplary leadership and the ability to work with multiple departments to achieve our strategic goals. His significant experience in lending and bank management will serve our lenders and our customers well.”

Rotter holds a BBA in management from Henderson State University and is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

“I am honored to take on the role of Corporate Chief Lending Officer for Chambers Bank,” Rotter said. “It is because of the hard work, dedication and success of the team around me that I have been afforded this opportunity. I am beyond grateful to work with such an outstanding group of people and I look forward to playing a small part in the continued success and growth of Chambers Bank.”

Cross County Bank Hires Whitney Eldridge As Marketing Director

Cross Bank has hired Whitney Eldridge as Marketing Director to ensure brand consistency and effectiveness through all advertising, internal and external communications, and marketing programs.

Eldridge Marketing Director

“Whitney joins us at an exciting time in our history, as we unite our two brands, Cross County Bank and First Commercial Bank, as Cross Bank. She will help us share our legacy in Eastern Arkansas and position the bank for the future as Eastern Arkansas’ premier community bank,” David Dowd, President and CEO of Cross Bank, said.

The bank adopted the name Cross Bank in all 10 offices beginning November 21, 2022. Cross Bank operates four offices in Cross County six offices in Craighead, Monroe, and Mississippi counties.

Eldridge is a native and resident of Jonesboro. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and double minors in Visual Arts and Christian Studies from Ouachita Baptist University. Previously, Eldridge served as Communications Director and Administrator at Christ Redeemer PCA in Jonesboro, and as Marketing Director for Gearhead Outfitters in Jonesboro.

Eldridge brings more than a decade of experience in marketing, PR, branding, advertising, communications, and marketing strategy to Cross Bank.

“WHITNEY JOINS US AT AN EXCITING TIME IN OUR HISTORY, AS WE UNITE OUR TWO BRANDS, CROSS COUNTY BANK AND FIRST COMMERCIAL BANK, AS CROSS BANK. SHE WILL HELP US SHARE OUR LEGACY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS AND POSITION THE BANK FOR THE FUTURE AS EASTERN ARKANSAS’ PREMIER COMMUNITY BANK.”

Kristen Reeves

Chief Lending Officer

Kristen Reeves Promoted To Chief Lending Officer At Peoples Bank

Kristen Reeves was recently promoted to Chief Lending Officer at Peoples Bank. Reeves is a veteran banker with 18 years of service. She most recently served as Vice President Lending and Lakewood Branch Manager. Her office is now located at the Main branch on North Jackson Street. She has a wide range of banking experience including serving as teller, new accounts representative, loan assistant, loan officer and assistant branch manager.

“Kristen has been a valuable member of the Peoples Bank family for almost two decades. She has distinguished herself as one of those leaders who sets the example and goes above and beyond for the customer and her team members. Her judgment, expertise and experience have proven that she is very deserving of this recognition and promotion. We look forward to her guiding our loan department through the coming years,” said Mary Fowler, Peoples Bank CEO.

Reeves is a native of Magnolia and a graduate of Magnolia High School. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from Southern Arkansas University.

Peoples Bank is a locally owned community bank established in 1910. Headquartered in Magnolia, Arkansas, Peoples Bank operates three banking offices in Magnolia and one in Waldo.

“KRISTEN HAS BEEN A VALUABLE MEMBER OF THE PEOPLES BANK FAMILY FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES. SHE HAS DISTINGUISHED HERSELF AS ONE OF THOSE LEADERS WHO SETS THE EXAMPLE AND GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THE CUSTOMER AND HER TEAM MEMBERS.”

CRAIG SHY TO LEAD ARVEST’S FAYETTEVILLE MARKET

Arvest Bank named Craig Shy as local bank president in Fayetteville, effective Nov. 1. Shy has 33 years of industry experience, including the last 18 years at Arvest. He has served in a variety of lending and management roles and has been executive vice president and loan manager for Arvest in Fayetteville since 2013. Shy replaces Donny Story, who will retire at year-end.

“Craig has been an instrumental part of our success in Fayetteville and we are excited for him to step into this new role,” Arvest regional executive Craig Rivaldo said. “His experience working alongside Donny will no doubt serve him well, as will his leadership skills and deep knowledge of Fayetteville and all of Northwest Arkansas.”

Shy earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas, majoring in finance and banking. He also graduated with honors and distinction for leadership from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to continue to work with my teammates in our Fayetteville region, including Elkins and the communities of west Washington County,” Shy said.

“We will continue to work to meet the financial needs of our customers in the communities we serve. Donny Story has done an outstanding job of leading our region for the past 18 years. I have been fortunate to be part of this team and I look forward to building on the great culture that we have created here.”