News & Moves

Kevin Sabin President/CEO Cathy Owen Chairman

Arvest Bank president and CEO Kevin Sabin and Eagle Bank Chairman Cathy Owen have been elected to the American Bankers Association (ABA) board of directors.

Announced as nominees in September, Sabin and Owen were elected during ABA’s virtual annual meeting in late October. They will serve three-year terms from 2021-2023, including committee work as established by ABA bylaws.

The ABA board of directors is made up of 20 bankers from across the U.S. The organization is considered the voice of the banking industry and its board members are charged with guiding its public policy on industry issues, serving as advocates and consensus-builders, and overseeing the association’s 2020 David P. DeMarea Payments Innovation Award by EPCOR (Electronic Payments Core of Knowledge), a not-for-profit payments association, in recognition of their procedures and programs to help the bank detect ACH (automated clearing house) abnormalities and prevent fraud.

The David P. DeMarea Payments Innovation Award is presented to an individual or organization that has implemented innovative payments or risk management solutions. Recipients of the award are recognized by the EPCOR Hall of Fame and are named after the late David P. DeMarea, longstand-

ELECTED TO ABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

fiscal operations, among other responsibilities. The board is constructed to reflect ABA’s diverse membership in terms of asset size, geography, business models and demographics.

Owen, the only female to have served as chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association, also serves as Chairman & CEO of State Holding Company, Manager of One Financial Centre, President of Your Global Source Partner, and is on the board of Hastings Holdings.

“The American Bankers Association has been an important voice and advocate for banks in the U.S. throughout my career and I’m excited to have an opportunity to contribute to its efforts in the future, especially as it helps America’s banks navigate these “THE AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BANKS IN THE U.S. THROUGHOUT MY CAREER AND I’M EXCITED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO ITS EFFORTS IN THE FUTURE.”

FIRST COMMUNITY BANK

WINS EPCOR AWARD FOR INNOVATION

First Community Bank has been awarded the

challenging times,” Sabin said. ing EPCOR director and senior vice president of Arvest bank operations.

“We are so honored to receive the 2020 David DeMarea Payments Innovation Award,” said Amber Bass, senior vice president, business and electronic solutions at First Community Bank. “We’ve made great strides in the last few years to improve our fraud protection and customer service. Winning this award is a huge testament to our team and to the future of our business.”

The bank was recognized for the prestigious award at the EPCOR Payments Conference 2020-virtual edition held on October 27-28, 2020. “WE’VE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS TO IMPROVE OUR FRAUD PROTECTION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE.”

SIMMONS BANK

DONATES $25,000 TO EL DORADO UAMS REGIONAL CAMPUS

Simmons Bank presented $25,000 to University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) representatives to help fund the coming UAMS regional campus in El Dorado. The campus represents a joint effort by the Medical Center of South Arkansas (MCSA) and UAMS to increase medical access throughout south Arkansas by training primary care physicians to serve Union County.

“The arrival of the UAMS regional campus in El Dorado will represent a very special moment for our community, bringing benefits that range from enhanced medical services and education to boosted economic opportunity,” said Rob Robinson, Simmons Bank’s El Dorado community president. “We at Simmons feel honored to support a program that will positively impact so many individuals and families.”

The UAMS regional campus in El Dorado hopes to open its clinic in January 2022 and begin training medical college graduates to become family medicine residents by July 2023. UAMS has committed to building its ninth regional campus in El Dorado. The majority of family practice physicians in rural areas of the state are trained at one of UAMS’ eight regional campuses. Creating a regional campus will provide an influx of physicians and health care professionals to create a sustainable educational and training pipeline and make it easier to maintain consistent levels of care.

Regional Campuses, originally called Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), started in 1973 through the efforts of then-Gov. Dale Bumpers, the Arkansas Legislature and UAMS to train medical residents and provide clinical care and health education services around the state. Its eight regional campuses are located in Batesville, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Helena-West Helena, Jonesboro, Magnolia, Pine Bluff and Texarkana.

Simmons’ donation to the UAMS Regional Program follows on the heels of its $1 million gift to support the Jefferson County Health Unit and the Veteran’s Services Office in October and a $1 million gift to Arkansas Children’s in May to support construction of a new pediatric clinic in Pine Bluff. “THE ARRIVAL OF THE UAMS REGIONAL CAMPUS IN EL DORADO WILL REPRESENT A VERY SPECIAL MOMENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BRINGING BENEFITS THAT RANGE FROM ENHANCED MEDICAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION TO BOOSTED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.”

Carina Maqueda VP, Loan Officer

PARTNERS BANK

ANNOUNCES NEW BRANCH, TEAM EXPANSION

Partners Bank, headquartered in historic downtown Helena, announced the opening of a new branch location in Johnson Square on Johnson Mill Boulevard in Springdale.

Micah Thompson, EVP, Regional President and Chief Credit Officer, has hired three new staff members to serve customers in the area. They include Carina Maqueda, VP, Loan Officer; Jenny Ross, Loan Assistant; and Woody Smith. Consumer retail operations as well as lending activities will be available.

Partners Bank has been operating six full-service branches in Phillips, Cross, and Crittenden Counties prior to entering into the Northwest Arkansas market. The bank also serves customers in Northeast Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Mississippi. Partners Bank reports assets of over $318 million.

CITIZENS BANK

OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART CENTER IN MONTICELLO

Citizens Bank has completed construction and opened its new state-of-the-art financial center located at 236 U.S. Highway 425 North in Monticello. The new center will consolidate its previous branches in Monticello and brings the bank’s staff into one location. A grand opening celebration for the facility was held on Thursday, Nov. 5.

“We will provide a robust, full-service banking in this modern facility,” said Chris Lampkin, Southeast Market President for Citizens Bank. “However, from the moment you walk in the door of this unique financial center, you will experience a warm, welcoming, relaxed atmosphere that transcends any traditional banking environment you have ever known.”

“Citizens Bank made such a significant investment in this market because of our confidence in the future of Monticello and Drew County, and in the leadership of Chris Lampkin and his talented team of professionals to support its growth,” said Phil Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer.

The new Citizens Bank facility at Monticello encompasses 6,000 square feet of space, which also includes a large community room that will be available for use by the public and organizations. The architecturally distinctive building was designed by CADM Architecture of El Dorado and Magnolia. “... FROM THE MOMENT YOU WALK IN THE DOOR OF THIS UNIQUE FINANCIAL CENTER, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A WARM, WELCOMING, RELAXED ATMOSPHERE THAT TRANSCENDS ANY TRADITIONAL BANKING ENVIRONMENT YOU HAVE EVER KNOWN.”

Kyle Cannon VP, Lending

UNION BANK OF MENA

HIRES TWO VPS FOR LENDING

Kevin Williams, President of Union Bank of Mena, announced that Tim Clark has been hired as Vice President of Lending. Clark will handle all types of lending with emphasis in commercial and agriculture loans.

Clark, who has 17 years of experience in banking was previously Market President and Loan Officer for a local financial institution where was named Lender of The Year in 2016 and attained Outstanding Sales Achievement in 2019. He has previous experience with Union Bank of Mena, serving as Branch Manager and Loan Officer from 2008 to 2013. A graduate of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Clark also attended the Barrett School of Banking.

Williams also announced that Kyle Cannon has been promoted to Vice President of Lending. Cannon, who has been with the Union Bank of Mena for eight years, was previously Assistant Vice President and also serves as Branch Manager of the bank’s Wickes location.

Cannon serves on the Mena School Board and the Arkansas School Boards Association. He also serves on the Church Council at Christ Community Fellowship in Mena.

FIRST COMMUNITY BANK

HIRES FIVE TO MORTGAGE TEAM IN JONESBORO

First Community Bank announced the addition of five new members to its mortgage team in Jonesboro. They are temporarily working out of the Southwest Drive location, but will soon be stationed at a new mortgage lending center located at 1823 Grant Avenue in Jonesboro.

Katie Ingram has been hired as vice president, secondary mortgage originator. Courtney Young has been hired as secondary mortgage processor. Jennifer Harris has been hired as secondary mortgage processor. Denise Klingensmith has been hired as vice president, secondary mortgage underwriter. Amber Agee has been hired as secondary mortgage closer. Karagon Prestidge, secondary mortgage processor, joined First Community Bank as a teller in April of 2019 before moving to the mortgage department in August 2020.

Jelena Veteto is vice president and regional manager for the Jonesboro region. She has led First Community Bank’s secondary market division in the Jonesboro area since 2008.

“Each member of the mortgage team brings an extensive skill set and impressive banking background,” said Allen Williams, market president, Jonesboro region. “I feel that these individuals will be excellent additions to our growing mortgage lending team in the Jonesboro region.” “EACH MEMBER OF THE MORTGAGE TEAM BRINGS AN EXTENSIVE SKILL SET AND IMPRESSIVE BANKING BACKGROUND.”

David Martin Trust Officer

ARVEST BANK

HIRES TRUST OFFICER FOR NEA MARKET

Arvest Bank in Jonesboro has hired David Martin as trust officer for the bank’s Northeast Arkansas market. In this role, Martin will assist customers in the development of retirement strategies and plans, as well as estate planning. He has 30 years of experience in the retirement and estate planning industry.

“David has been an integral resource for numerous customers who are seeking professional insight in planning their long-term financial portfolios,” said Kevin Hufstedler, community bank president of Arvest Bank in Northeast Arkansas. “We value his experience and we are confident that our customers will benefit greatly from the work he will do for them.”

Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in financial services from American College. He is a certified public accountant (CPA), a certified financial planner (CFP) and a chartered financial consultant (ChFC). Martin will be based in Jonesboro but will serve clients across Northeast Arkansas. “DAVID HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL RESOURCE FOR NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS WHO ARE SEEKING PROFESSIONAL INSIGHT IN PLANNING THEIR LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PORTFOLIOS.”

Dustin Walker, Vice President/Loan Officer

DUSTIN WALKER

JOINS CORNERSTONE BANK AS VP OF LENDING

Cornerstone Bank announced the addition of Dustin Walker as Vice President and Loan Officer. He will work at the bank’s Berryville office located at 907 West Trimble.

Walker is a tenured banker in Carroll County having spent the past 17 years within the industry. He has served in numerous roles during his career and will focus on both personal and business banking relationships in his new capacity at Cornerstone Bank.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to add someone of Dustin’s caliber and community respect to our growing bank. His almost twenty years of experience in the industry will prove to be invaluable as we continue to serve the Carroll County market. We consider ourselves fortunate to strengthen our already outstanding team and look forward to Dustin’s affiliation with our company,” said James Myatt, Cornerstone Bank Market President.

Katerina Smotherman Area Manager

EAGLE BANK

ADDS SMOTHERMAN AS AREA MANAGER

Jeff Lynch, President and CEO of Eagle Bank & Trust has announced that Katerina Smotherman has joined the Bank as Area Manager for the Northern Market. She brings over two decades of banking experience including bank management and consumer lending.

Smotherman will provide leadership for retail sales and business development in the Northern Market that includes locations for Heber Springs, Rose Bud, Quitman, Greers Ferry, Fairfield Bay and Drasco, while also being actively involved in the community of Cleburne County. SMOTHERMAN WILL PROVIDE LEADERSHIP FOR RETAIL SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHERN MARKET.

FIRST SERVICE BANK

NAMES ZIMMERMAN AS VP OF RETAIL BANKING

First Service Bank named Justin Zimmerman as Vice President of Retail Banking. His responsibilities will include coaching and leading branch managers to provide exceptional service.

“Justin is the perfect candidate to be named Vice President of Retail Banking at First Service Bank,” said Robin Hackett, Chief Operations Officer. “The addition of this new position will help strengthen our relationship with our branch managers and enhance the customer’s experience making both stronger.”

With over 20 years of banking experience, Zimmerman is a native of St. Vincent (Conway County) and is a graduate of UACCM with an associate degree in Banking & Finance as well as many accreditations throughout the Arkansas Bankers Association. He currently serves on the UACCM Accounting Advisory Committee. “THE ADDITION OF THIS NEW POSITION WILL HELP STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR BRANCH MANAGERS AND ENHANCE THE CUSTOMER’S EXPERIENCE MAKING BOTH STRONGER.”

NEWS & MOVES