Member News

Effective upon the opening of business on April 1, Simmons First National Bank, the subsidiary of Simmons First National Corp., has converted from a national banking association to an Arkansas state-chartered bank. The bank’s name will change to Simmons Bank. Simmons Bank is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System through the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The conversion isn’t expected to affect the bank’s customers in any way. Customers will receive the same protection on deposits in Simmons Bank as they received with deposits in Simmons First National Bank. “The charter conversion is a strategic undertaking that we believe will enhance our operations in the long term,” said Marty Casteel, chairman and chief executive officer of Simmons Bank. “We’re strongly committed to operating our organization with a focus on community banking. We believe it will be advantageous for our shareholders, customers and associates to work with regulators who are accustomed to community banks and the challenges they face.” Simmons Bank Converts to Arkansas State-Charter

ARKANSAS BANK DEPARTMENT APPLICATIONS & APPROVALS Branch Bank Application ƒ An application filed by the Merchants & Farmers Bank, Dumas, Desha County, Arkansas, to establish a branch banking facility at a temporary address of 4500 Highway 5 North, Suite 6, Bryant, Saline County, Arkansas, with the permanent address at 3512 Highway 5 North, Bryant, Saline County, Arkansas, has been approved. March 7, 2016. Charter Conversion Application ƒ An application filed by Simmons First National Bank, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a national bank, for conversion to a state-chartered bank to be known as Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, has been approved. March 31, 2016.

Mortgage Programs Get Creative to Promote American Dream

While today’s real estate market continues to be driven by historically low interest rates, some consumers can take advantage of programs that make buying a new home an even more realizable dream. Rural Development and Section 184 Indian Home Loans, as well as the HomeReady® program, are a few examples of vehicles for acquiring a mortgage that have more relaxed requirements than conventional loans. In some cases, this means consumers can benefit from less strict guidelines in terms of income, down payment, and other upfront costs. A Rural Development Loan, for example, offers benefits like no down payment and reduced mortgage insurance for residents in states like Arkansas. The loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are designed to promote expansion into rural communities. Many of these rural communities, however, are located just beyond city limits and surprisingly close to suburban areas. “Many homebuyers are unaware of programs like the Rural Development Loans and are very surprised when they see some of the geographic areas where these loans are available,” said Eric Cullum, Mortgage Loan Manager for Arvest Bank. “We encourage borrowers to explore all of their loan options before they start house-hunting. If they realize they can potentially save money by getting a zero down payment loan with reduced mortgage insurance rates in an attractive area, it can expand their options.” Fannie Mae’s new HomeReady program, meanwhile, boasts a unique structure for consumers. In addition to down payments as low as three percent and reduced mortgage insurance, HomeReady also offers a new feature that allows income to be considered from non-borrower household members, as well as non-occupant borrowers who are extended family members. “HomeReady provides a lower-cost option for low-to-moderate income families, including those who may have multiple earners in one household,” said Cullum. “It offers an opportunity for these families to get more for their money.” The Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program is backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is another alternative for those who can prove Native American heritage. The program is designed specifically for Native Americans, Alaskan Villages, Tribes or Tribal entities who live on or off native lands. It offers up to 97.75 percent financing and is applicable to home purchases, new construction and refinancing. All of these programs are lesser-known options than VA and FHA loans, which also provide more lenient standards than conventional mortgages. VA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, provide 100 percent financing for veterans, require no down payment, and offer a fixed interest rate and no monthly mortgage insurance, which is a significant savings for consumers. FHA loans, backed by the U.S. Federal Housing Administration, benefit lowerincome families because they require a lower down payment, offer lower interest rates and accept lower credit scores than traditional programs. All of these programs can help some consumers realize homeownership easier than via the conventional process. “Generally speaking, with any type of loan product, the home affordability index, which is based on interest rates, pricing and associated factors in home buying,” said Cullum, “is the best it has been in probably 30 years.”

MCLINTOCK PROMOTED AT ARVEST BANK, SPRINGDALE

Arvest Bank is pleased to announce that Ben McLintock has been promoted to Vice President by the Board of Directors in Springdale. McLintock has been with Arvest Bank since January 2014 as a regional investment officer for the Springdale and Siloam Springs markets for Arvest Wealth Management (formerly Arvest Asset Management). “Ben has done a good job working with the Arvest team and finding opportunities to create fully-banked, delighted lifetime customers,” said Lisa Ray, president and CEO for Arvest Bank in Springdale. “He has earned many degrees and designations, including being a licensed attorney and Certified Fund Raising Executive, that make him an ideal resource for customers and associates regarding investments, financial planning, trust, estate planning, business law and tax and transactional law.” McLintock grew up in Forestville, Calif., and earned his Bachelor of Arts in broadcasting and marketing from San Francisco State University in 1999. He

earned his Juris Doctor in 2013 from the University of Arkansas School of Law and his Master of Laws in taxation in 2015 from the University of Alabama School of Law. He holds insurance licenses for Arkansas and Oklahoma, an Arkansas Law License since 2013, Certified Fund Raising Executive designation since 2009 and holds the Series 7 and 65 Securities licenses. He and his wife, Kelly McLintock, live in Springdale with their three children, Gunnar, Grace and Emily.

ARVEST NAMES BEN WILBURN COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURE LENDER IN HARRISON

Arvest Bank has announced that Ben Wilburn has been named Commercial and Agriculture Lender for the Harrison market, a position that is unique to the community. Wilburn will work as a commercial lender with emphasis in agriculture, given his extensive experience in the field. He previously worked for Arvest in Clarksville as a credit analyst. “Ben has grown up and spent many years working in the agriculture industry and he can easily identify with the needs and challenges of our customers, which positions him well to provide them with banking solutions to achieve their objectives,” said Scott Tennyson, market president for Arvest Bank in Harrison. “We are glad to have his expertise in this area and look forward to the service he will provide this community.” Wilburn earned a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business and a master’s degree in Agriculture Economics, both from the University of Arkansas. He is a native of Valley Springs and attends Ridgeway Church of Christ. Wilburn will work out of the Arvest Bank branch at 401 North Walnut Street in Harrison. He lives in Harrison with his wife, Hannah.

PERRY NAMED LOAN OFFICER AT STONE BANK Nick Roach, President and Chief Lending Officer of Stone Bank, has announced that Eric Perry has been named a Loan Officer at the Mountain View, Arkansas-chartered bank. “We’re very pleased to add Eric to our lending staff here in Mountain View, said Roach. “He is very familiar with the area and has extensive experience in agriculture, which is a very important area of lending in our bank.” A fifth generation native of the Stone County area, Eric attained a BS in Animal Science and Agricultural Business from College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri. His previous work experience has been in the live production area with Caldwell Foods and as a farm/ ranch manager in Arkansas and Oklahoma. He most recently managed a 5,000 acre cattle ranch in Oklahoma with more than 800 head of cattle. Eric and his wife Tammy Perry and their two children live on a family farm in the Fox area.

HARDKE NAMED COMMUNITY BANK PRESIDENT

Farmers and Merchants Bank President and CEO, Gary Hudson on behalf of the Board of Directors, names David Hardke Community Bank President of Prairie County. Farmers and Merchants has banks in Hazen and Des Arc. Hardke has more than 44 years of experience in banking; 20 of those with Farmers and Merchants Bank. He is a

First Community Bank Treats Local CPAs First Community Bank delivered trays of Bundt cake desserts to local tax offices in honor of their service this tax season. “Each year we try to let our hometown accountants know that we are thinking about them and appreciate their hard work during one of their busiest times of the year,” said Boris Dover, First Community Bank president and chief operating officer. “With return deadlines quickly approaching, tax professionals can certainly use a little boost of energy from the sweet treats.” Pictured (from left to right) are First Community Bank loan officers, Ron Carter and Hank Pearce; COO and president, Boris Dover; and First Community Financial Services advisor, Audrey Pool.

graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a BA degree, majoring in business management. Hardke also is a graduate of the School of Bank Marketing at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, and of the Graduate School of Banking and Louisiana State University. He is has served as recorder/ treasurer for the City of Hazen for 19 years and remains an active member of the Hazen Chamber of Commerce. David and his wife Nita are members of the Hazen First United Methodist Church.

FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK PROMOTES HAWKINS Farmers and Merchants Bank’s Erik Hawkins has been promoted to Assistant Vice-President and Loan Officer in the bank’s Perryville branch. The announcement was made by the bank’s President and CEO, Gary Hudson. Hawkins is a native of Perry County, Arkansas. He and his wife Ginny reside in Conway. Hawkins graduated from Perryville High school. He furthered his education at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, and completed his Bachelor of Science in Education Arkansas Tech in Russellville. While attending college, Hawkins worked as a teller at the Perryville bank and upon graduation became a teacher and coach at Perryville High School. In 2013, Farmers and Merchants Bank hired Hawkins as a loan officer. He is a member of the Perry County Chamber of Commerce board, a member of the Petit Jean Razorback Club and serves on the Farm Family Council.

FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK PROMOTES RODGERS Farmers and Merchants Bank’s Tabatha Rodgers has been promoted to Vice-President of Mortgage Lending. The announcement was made by the bank’s President and CEO, Gary Hudson, on behalf of the Board of Directors. Rodgers has been an employee of Farmers and Merchants Bank for fourteen years, having worked as a teller, real estate loan assistant, loan administrative assistant and most recently as Executive Administrative Officer. She is a 1997 graduate of Stuttgart High School and hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Rodgers is an active volunteer in PEO, currently serving as president. She and her husband Brandon have two sons.

VANSANDT NAMED COMMUNITY BANK PRESIDENT

Farmers and Merchants Bank President and CEO Gary Hudson, on behalf of the Board of Directors, has named Kirk Vansandt Community Bank President for South Arkansas County and Lee County. Vansandt of DeWitt is a loan officer, specializing in agriculture lending. He has worked at Farmers and Merchants Bank since 2008. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas. Vansandt is active in various DeWitt civic activities, including the DeWitt Chamber of Commerce, DeWitt Industrial Development Commission, Rotary Club, and Acres of Help. He and his wife Holly are members of First Baptist Church of DeWitt.

FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK PROMOTES WASHAM Farmers and Merchants Bank’s Casey Washam has been promoted to Vice President and Loan Review. The announcement was made by the bank’s President and CEO, Gary Hudson. Washam is a native of Kentucky, graduating from Murray State University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. He is also a 2009 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado. He started his career in banking in 2003 with Chart Bank in Perryville which was acquired by Farmers and Merchants Bank in 2008. Washam has a long history of community service, most recently as a member of the Stuttgart Kiwanis Club. He enjoys spending time with his daughter and his wife Katie.

MOLLY CARPENTER PROMOTED AT FNBC

Marty Sellars, CEO and President of FNBC, recently announced the promotion of Molly Carpenter to Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. Carpenter has been employed with FNBC for 2 years and was previously Director of Marketing & Public Relations. Carpenter will continue to oversee all marketing and public relations activities for FNBC’s 10 locations. As a member of the bank’s senior management team, she will contribute to the bank’s overall management and strategic vision. “Molly adds a great deal of marketing strength and professionalism to FNBC’s senior leadership team,” Sellars said. “She has transformed our marketing department into a high performing and highly recognized marketing function. Molly’s professional capabilities, combined with her high energy and charisma, make her a great addition to our team, and further exemplifies the bold past and the bright future at FNBC!” Carpenter is a fourth generation community banker at FNBC Bank. Prior to joining the bank in 2014, she worked at Ozarka College in the Public Relations Office. She is active in numerous community and professional organizations including immediate past-president of the Quad Cities Rotary Club, and serves on the Ozarka College Foundation Board, Sharp County Community Foundation Board, and the Spring River Paramedic Ambulance Service Board of Directors. In 2015, she was recognized by Arkansas Business as one of 20 in their 20s: The New Influentials, and as one of the Top 25 Community Bank Influencers on Twitter by the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). Carpenter, a native of Ash Flat and Highland High School alum, holds a Master of Business Administration from John Brown University and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She is a member of the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado’s Class of 2017. She is the daughter of FNBC Bank Chairman Martin Carpenter and wife, Lori.