The Arkansas Banker April 2018

April 2018

2018-19 Chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association

Cathy Owen

Volume CI, No. 4

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TRANSPARENCY. ACCOUNTABILITY. PREDICTABILITY. Tired of exam surprises?

By taking our survey you are providing anonymous feedback that will be used to hold regulators to consistent standards.

More than 2000 bankers have already participated.

Take a stand. Take the survey.

Arkansas Bankers Association a proud member of

Take the RFI survey at www.allbankers.org *

*RFI = Regulatory Feedback Initiative

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April 2018 COLUMNS

Volume CI, No. 4

President’s Message

4

Bill Holmes

Chairman’s Column

6

Cathy Owen

5 Minutes with Todd Smith Millennial Minute with Stacy Rosales

9 11

8

10

2018 ABA Group Meetings Held

12

A Fox in the Hen House

2018 ABA Convention Wrap-Up

DEPARTMENTS

by Al Harkins

Member News

34

Professional Development Live Events Webinars AmBA Training

Banker News & Moves

5 7 27

36

20

28

Longtime Bankers Honored with Milestones Awards

Family Values & Business Sense: Cathy Owen Named Chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association

32

35

Faces of the ABA: 2018-19 Leadership

Tips For Financial Spring Cleaning

The Arkansas Banker Online

Join us at www.arkbankers.org to read and share statewide banking news!

SURVEY SAYS

The Arkansas Banker (ISSN 004-1726) is published monthly by the Arkansas Bankers Association, 1220 West Third Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Phone: 501.376.3741. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, AR. Postmaster: Send address changes to Arkansas Bankers Association, 1220 West Third Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Subscription to The Arkansas Banker magazine is included in the membership fees to the Arkansas Bankers Association. Cover price is $5.95 each. Annual subscription rates are $40.00 for members and $60.00 for non-members.

Random question.

Random bankers.

Interesting results.

What was the best part of Convention 2018?

Bill’s Pick

51

%

The sessions... this year’s speakers were awesome!

CLICK HERE

to take part in May’s Survey Says!

April 2018

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k Kami’s Pic

36%

DD&F’s Celebration with Deuces Wild...

I haven’t laughed that hard in ages!

10%

3%

Game Night...

Um, did y’all I haven’t played forget there was Pac-Man or Gallactica ice cream? since the 1980s!

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE New Officers Join the ABA Family

ABA OFFICERS

Cathy Owen, Rob Robinson, Jon Harrell and Jim Cargill became our new officers at this month’s Annual Convention. That makes them the lead members in our community of Arkansas bankers. That is closely akin to pulling up a chair to the breakfast table at a large family reunion. We, the Association, think of everyone we serve as family. And our bankers think of everyone they serve in their communities as family. You help them grow their businesses, you sponsor their teams, feed them hot dogs and hamburgers at community events and they trust you to keep their deposits and assets safe. You work hand-in-hand with your brother and sister bankers making sure that our communities are stronger and growing. You are the fuel that drives every neighborhood you are in.

Cathy Owen, Chairman

As part of that professional family we are always looking and listening for opportunities to better serve our members. Government relations and state and federal advocacy is a founding mission of ours. A close second is our professional development and education services. ABA offers a wide variety of formats, from webinars, seminars, schools, conferences and our Annual Convention. We cover the gamut of venues and topics. Of late we are hearing more and more about the challenge of developing, building and retaining the next generation of bank leaders, and recently about the next generation of bank directors. Several bankers at Convention asked how we could get more next-generation bankers to next year’s meeting.

In talking with some of the next generation of bankers, their primary request is for more position-specific training. For example, what courses do I have to complete to go from a Teller to a Customer Service Rep? Is there a road map for going from loan review to lending? Are there curricula to help me grow my worth in my bank?

We are rebuilding our offerings to meet these needs. What we have to focus on is how to get more of our emerging leaders to more of our meetings to network with their peers and to network with our executives. Both sides will get to share the benefits of the traditional ways that have served us well and the new ways of problem-solving that are part of a huge wave of change brought about by fintech.

We need your help with this project. How can we better connect with our emerging leaders? We welcome your input. It is important that you encourage them, and send them to these meetings, forums and opportunities for them to collaborate with peers and superiors and focus on their growth in our banking industry. Help us with this issue. We want to make sure we have the keys to a successful next-generation of Arkansas Bankers. The rules of banking are changing, but our family is as strong as ever.

Eagle Bank & Trust, Little Rock

Rob Robinson, IV, Chairman-Elect Simmons Bank, El Dorado

Jonathan Harrell, Vice Chairman Generations Bank, Rogers

Jim Cargill, Treasurer Arvest Bank, Little Rock

Dave Dickson, Past Chairman Union Bank & Trust Co., Monticello

Bill Holmes, President & CEO

Arkansas Bankers Association, Little Rock

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Johnny Adams, Conway Craig Attwood, Pine Bluff Jeff Brecklein, Jonesboro Chip Blanchard, Russellville Gene Crawford, Batesville David Dowd, Wynne Don Gibson, Springdale Chris Gosnell, Magnolia David Jessup, DeWitt Lance Lanier, Van Buren Barry Ledbetter, Little Rock Wilson Moore, Little Rock Marnie Oldner, Little Rock Mark Roberts, Malvern Lori Ross, Arkadelphia Randy Scott, Blytheville

Bill Holmes | President & CEO Arkansas Bankers Association

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Jason Tennant, Eureka Springs Lynn Wright, Little Rock

ABA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

LIVE EVENTS Providing you with face-to-face interaction with expert instructors!

MAY 2018 Writing Compliant Real Estate Evaluations Internally May 10, 2018 | ABA Office, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Credit and Loan Officers, Credit Analysts, Credit Administration Supervisors

Call Report Preparation: An Update and Review May 15, 2018 | ABA Office, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Call Report Preparers, Call Report Reviewers

Trust School

TRID Update May 16-17, 2018 | ABA Office, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Mortgage Loan Department Managers, Compliance Officers, Loan Officers, Auditors, and others with responsibilities for preparing, delivering or auditing the new disclosures

CBCM (Certified Banking CyberSecurity Manager) Certification May 21-22, 2018 | ABA Office, Little Rock Who Should Attend: ISO, Auditor, IT Manager, Compliance, Security Officer, and Operations Officer.

May 15-18, 2018 | ABA Office, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Trust Officers and personnel, IRA Officers

JUNE

19-21 CyberSecurity Road Show

22

AUGUST

Opening New Accounts

s!

Three Location

18

SEPTEMBER Loan Assistants & Processors Workshop

18-19 Supervisor Boot Camp 24-26 Mega Conference

Save The Date!

For more information about ABA Live Events, log on to www.arkbankers.org or call 501.376.3741.

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CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve Thank YOU! I am excited, honored and humbled to serve not only as Chairman, but to serve as the first female Chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association. I certainly did not get here by myself and would therefore, like to thank a few people.

I want to start by thanking Dave and Memorie Dickson. Dave truly served our Association well. His willingness to generously give of his time, talents and energy, combined with his big smile and southern drawl, all contributed to making him a great leader and inspiration for all of us. Dave and Memorie are genuinely wonderful people, who I am proud to have gotten to know and look forward to our continued friendship.

I also want to thank Sean and Leslie Williams, who we were fortunate to have gotten to know and travel with when Sean served as Chairman the previous year. Both Sean and Dave are not only good bank leaders, but they are also wonderful husbands and fathers. They have certainly raised the standard for all who follow in their footsteps.

I look forward to getting to know and working with Rob and Leigh Anne Robinson and Jon and Sheila Harrell this next year. I also look forward to serving with the ABA Board and certainly appreciate their willingness to commit their time and resources necessary to serve our Association.

We have many thanks to Bill Holmes, his wife Rita, and the Association staff. We are very fortunate to have Bill at the helm. His experience, knowledge, contacts, and support are invaluable. His leadership is beyond reproach. I consider Rita to be an “Unofficial/Official” member of the staff. From her countless relationships with her other state counterparts, to her elegant southern charm; she represents our state and our Association very well. I look forward to working with the ABA Staff. To Ava, Barry, Brenda, Carla, Jessica, Kami, and Traci — I appreciate all you do each and every day.

Most importantly, I want to thank and recognize my family. I am truly blessed to have one of the most amazing and close families. I have to start with my parents, Harry and Rosalyn Hastings. My father is a visionary who started many successful businesses and chartered our original bank. He also taught my brothers and me about business from the time we could walk and talk. He always believed in us, pushed us to be all we could be, and had great faith in our success. Less than a month after college graduation, Dad told me he needed me to run the bank, when the bank President died suddenly. How many fathers would entrust that kind of responsibility to their 22 year old daughter?

My Mother is an incredible, thoughtful, strong and caring person. She has shown me how to be a good daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. My husband, Steve, and I have been married for 35 years. He is my best friend and is truly wonderful. He has always been a good husband, father to our children, businessman, and Community Leader. Steve, thank you for being you and for standing beside me every day. We have two children, Steven, Jr. and Sara, both of whom work for the bank. Steven is a State Licensed Appraiser. Sara is our Eagle Bank BSA Officer, Secretary to the Board, and works for our CFO. She is married to Drew Holliday and they are the proud parents of our granddaughter.

On June 1, I will have worked in banking for 44 years. During this time, I have served in many roles, and I have seen the ups and downs of banking along with lots of change. I am sure more change is coming. Therefore, I want to encourage each of you to get involved. I believe the most important role we have as bankers today is to serve as vocal advocates of our industry. It is more important than ever that we support bank friendly candidates and we make sure our voices are heard in Washington. As our bank numbers shrink, we can no longer count on others to shoulder this responsibility. It is more important than ever to join with our fellow bankers on visits to Washington, and to send texts, emails and make phone calls to our delegation, when called upon to do so. Together, we have a much better possibility of success, as numbers do make a difference.

In closing, I do want you to know how honored and excited I am to be your new Arkansas Bankers Association Chairman, and to be the first female to serve in this role. I look forward to working with you. With your help, we will have a great year. Thank you for allowing me to serve you.

Cathy Owen | Chairman

Chairman of Eagle Bank & Trust, Little Rock

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ABA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MAY 2018

WEBINARS

Train multiple employees for one price, from the convenient location of your bank!

Tuesday, May 1

Tuesday, May 8

Tuesday, May 15

Controlling the Risks of Power of Attorney Documents 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Branches in the Digital Age: Reset Your Branch Network 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Introduction to ACH: The Basics 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Beneficial Ownership Training for the Frontline 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Vulnerability Management Improvements 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 16

Wednesday, May 2

Wednesday, May 9

Loan Participations: What You Should Know 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

2018 Most Common Regulation O Concerns 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Understanding Commercial Loan Documents 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 3 Living Trust Documents 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

10 Critical Issues in Handling Trust Accounts 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 4 Introduction to Consumer Lending 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Monday, May 7 Lending 101 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 10 FFIEC Mobile Services Guidance Review 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Nailing Your Job of Head Teller 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 17 Escrow Accounts Compliance 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Critical Issues on Certificates of Deposit (CDs) 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 18

20 Legal Account Ownerships, titles & More 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Call Report: RC-C Loan Coding and Related RC-R Reporting 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Friday, May 11

Monday, May 21

Accounts Receivable and Inventory Financing 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

For Bank Managers: How to Hire Bankers Who Will Sell 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Monday, May 14

Tuesday, May 22

Commercial Real Estate Lending: Cash Flow Analysis & Cap Rates 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Common Pitfalls of ARM Disclosures 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

For more information about ABA Webinars log on to www.arkbankers.org or call 501.376.3741.

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2018 ABA Group Meetings Held The Arkansas Bankers Association Group Meetings were held across the state in February and March, bringing together bankers for networking, and updates on the association, and to elect new representatives from each group:

GROUP 1

Jonesboro | February 20, 2018 Group Chairman

Christie Patterson, Southern Bancorp, Blytheville

Group Vice Chairman

Brandon Gentry, Cross County Bank, Wynne

ABA Board Member

Randy Scott, Farmers Bank & Trust, Blytheville

Emerging Leaders Kyle Schlenker, Section Council Member First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne

GROUP 2

Little Rock | March 15, 2018 Group Chairman

Jay Wisener, First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock

Group Vice Chairman

Kenneth Barnard, First Service Bank, Greenbrier

ABA Board Member

Barry Ledbetter, Simmons Bank, Little Rock (3 Year Term) Marnie Oldner, Stone Bank, Little Rock (1 Year Term)

SCHOLARSHIPS Group 1 Kendal Williams Attending Arkansas State University Group 3 Jackie Henriquez Attending the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

Emerging Leaders Chris Pledger, Section Council Member Eagle Bank & Trust, Little Rock

GROUP 3

Fayetteville | March 7, 2018 Group Chairman

Nathan Gairhan, United Bank, Springdale

Group Vice Chairman

Adam Rutledge, First Security Bank, Fayetteville

ABA Board Member

Lance Lanier, Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Van Buren

Emerging Leaders Shawn Dunham Section Council Member United Bank, Springdale

GROUP 4

Hot Springs | March 16, 2018 Group Chairman

Barry Owens, Diamond Bank, Hot Springs

Group Vice Chairman

Evelyn Morris, First Financial Bank, El Dorado

ABA Board Member

Mark Roberts, Malvern National Bank, Malvern

Andy Horton & Kendal Williams

Emerging Leaders Brent Atkins, Section Council Member Simmons Bank, Hot Springs

GROUP 5

Fordyce | March 22, 2018

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Group Chairman

Craig Manatt, Peoples Bank, Sheridan

Group Vice Chairman

Steven Brown, Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff

ABA Board Member

Craig Attwood, FBT Bank and Mortgage, Pine Bluff

Emerging Leaders Lance Nutt, Section Council Member FBT Bank and Mortgage, Fordyce The Arkansas Banker

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Jim Franks, Susannah Marshall & Teck Ong

5 MINUTES WITH

TODD SMITH

EVP of Trust & Asset Management at Farmers Bank & Trust, Magnolia What role does teamwork play in the success of your bank, and how do you make sure your team is at its best?

My first responsibility is to be at my best before having that expectation of anyone else. Teamwork is the only way we will deliver a positive customer experience and achieve our goals.

Because of such, we must have quality internal and external training, consistency in our ideals and objectives, and leaders who model the way. It is also important to validate and reinforce team members when they exhibit the behaviors that breed success.

What is the best part of being a hometown banker?

It is rewarding to earn the confidence and trust of those you serve and advise, and impact their financial life. I equally enjoy being able to invest my time in worthwhile community causes that equip children, youth, and families to make decisions in their long-term best interest.

Give us a little background on yourself: I’m a native Magnolian and was first introduced to banking by means of a part-time college job filing checks and preparing statements for mail. I had two mentors in the e-suite who took a big interest in me, and served as great models of community bankers. After college graduation in 1992, I accepted employment with the Arkansas State Bank Department (ASBD) as a Financial Examiner Trainee. My nine-year career with the ASBD is where I learned both the operational and credit sides of banking. The community service aspect was the component I was missing, and I was able to add it once I crossed to the other side of the desk in 2001.

What game do you always win at... and what game do you always lose at?

I always win at ‘Name that Tune,’ and always lose at Poker. I love music and music history. As far as Poker goes, it grieves me to sit out a hand, so when I am dealt a bad hand I play anyway. The only scenario where this is not true is in the case of real money. I do understand consequences.

You’ve spent the past 25 years in banking... how do you continue to grow as a banker?

I try to never stop learning. I try to learn from peers, vendors, Industry publications, continuing education events, and by reading. Banking has evolved so much over the past decade, and time is such a valuable commodity that it takes considerable effort to remove the ‘noise’ from the workday so time is available to learn. Though my two initial mentors are now deceased, I maintain relationships with current bankers, retired bankers, and other professionals from whom I can glean wisdom from their experience.

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a

Fox

in the

Hen House

by Al Harkins, SME bankingXperts

Banking, as most industries, continues through evolutionary adjustments to cope with the risks and rewards of the ever-changing industry standards. Banks seek to achieve economies of scale, enhance revenues and cut costs through operational efficiencies to remain competitive.

The risks that existed in 1958 are still basically the same risks 60 years later in 2018 but how banks manage those risks become challenging with the ever-changing demand for the acceleration of data delivery. Moving the data delivery from human hands to mechanization increases the risk within banking operations.

A new bread company in the 1960s had a marketing slogan, “Untouched by Human Hands.” That is where the banking system has gone. As generations have evolved from human hands to mechanizations, today’s generation of bankers have not experienced the true “human hands on” methods of the past that provided a high level of success in preventing fraud.

Banking’s upper management today is that new generation.

Banks are often reluctant to accept the risks that come with the industry’s “untouched by human hands” processing. Are we to expect the public to accept results from the banking industries evolution into warp speed activity? The public has not shown the willingness to do that.

Today’s bankers are learning about risks from their todays experiences, often without consideration of historical precedence and that can be expensive. The veteran banker of earlier generations passed along their policies and procedures of risk protection, but those procedures have slowly been eroding in the transformation to computer processing.

Bankers themselves, define the level of the risks their bank is willing to accept by the internal policies and procedures they adopt or fail to follow. That does not relieve or excuse the banks from the same obligation to their customers and their stockholders that have always been there by having effective fraud protection at every step of their banking activities. The old axiom, “The chain is only as strong as its weakest link” is absolutely true in the bank internal controls and fraud prevention.

Banks risk management, at a high level, must continue in a banking process that does the most it can to protect the bank and its customers. If it can’t be accomplished completely by computerization, the process needs some level of human involvement.

The bank can expect to be challenged for whatever problems result from their internal policies, procedures and training

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failures. Banks can set their policies anywhere they want but they still have a “due diligence” requirement to put deposits where they go and if they do not, they may suffer the loss. They should be prepared to “face the music” if their policies, procedures, processes, whatever they want to call it, do not provide adequate risks alerts and protection. Just because the operations process has changed does not move the risks and responsibility away from them. I know we would like to sell that idea, but that dog won’t hunt.

Paying attention to detail at the “gatekeepers” functions is the primary fraud risk protection a banker can employ. Those first gatekeepers are the new accounts desk and secondly, the teller window daily transactions. If they miss it there, their chain is weak in two critical links.

Simply providing initial employee training is not sufficient.

Training and monitoring in those two areas must be continual.

Failure to do so can cause millions of dollars in losses in a short period of time.

Most bank new account personnel work from the checklist provided to them to assist them in doing it right but there must be a due diligence audit and compliance follow-up procedures that, seriously, take nothing for granted. If the “con” gets through those two gates, the bank can be in big trouble for letting the fox in the hen house.

Teller activities of casually accepting checks for deposit is where the fox steals the chickens. An important continual reminder to tellers is that accepting a check for deposit is essentially the same thing as cashing the check.

There is specific data on a check that demands critical attention for every single item and only the teller will ever look at it. When the item leaves the teller window in a batch of checks, human eyes and human hands never touch it again.

We bankers all know the rules, but somehow, we seem to forget. In the past few months I have reviewed the teller manuals from several banks and they all came up shockingly short. Here are the simple items to review on the check itself when it is presented for deposit:

Make certain the check is not dated with some date in the future; that is known as “post-dated.”

Is the date on the check older than six months? If so, it should not be deposited or cashed. This is known as a “stale dated” check.

Is the alpha line amount written correctly to agree with the numerical amount? The alpha line has often been identified as the legal amount.

Does there appear to be an alteration of any part of the check?

Does the signature of the maker agree with the printed name on the check?

HIGHLY IMPORTANT. Does the payee name on the check agree exactly with the name of the account the check is being deposited into?

Similar names can be confusing as William John Doe presents a check for deposit with the payee name “Billy” Doe because that is what everyone calls him. Accepting similar names for the payee should not be routine. That is only acceptable if a due diligence procedure confirms the payee is the same person or company as the name on the account for deposit.

Someone or something must be capable of reading the payee to compare the payee of a check being presented for payment to the bank systems deposit account name.

If the bank doesn’t do all of the above, they may have voluntarily accepted the associated risks. Outside the document guidelines, banks may have other requirements by teller procedure such account balance requirements, delayed deposit credit and customer identification.

Tellers beware of customers that have become familiar and comfortable. The “con” will talk to the teller about their children, the college football game or the weather which may be a way to take the tellers concentration off of the individual items presented for deposit. Even if the fox is in the hen house, teller’s, don’t let the fox steal the chickens.

Al Harkins, CEO of “bankingXperts”, is a former 40-year Arkansas bank CEO, co-founder of Arkansas Community Bankers Association and former board member of The Arkansas Bankers Association.

You may send comments on this article to: al@ bankingexpert.com.

MILLENNIAL MINUTE

STACY ROSALES

What trait does the modern banker need to be successful?

I would say the modern banker needs to remember to be humble. Although the world around us has changed, there are still people out there that do things the “old fashioned” way. What that means is when a customer calls the bank they want to speak to someone.

When they come in, they want to do their business and socialize. It’s important to remember that building relationships is and has always been one of the most important keys in successful banking. The time you take to help that one person, and the relationship you build will be what the customer remembers most and what they will talk about.

Bank

First Security Bank, Rogers Position

Retail Operations Manager, AVP How Long Have You Been with Relyance?

11 1/2 Years

What do you feel is the most helpful banking product on the market today?

The most helpful banking product on the market today is (drum roll) mobile banking.

Everyone has a smartphone these days and mobile banking allows them to not worry about making it to the bank before it closes. Customers can view multiple accounts, transfer money between accounts, and make deposits all in the palm of their hand.

Mobile banking helps the person that is on the go — whether getting the kids to their activities, or running from meeting to meeting. Being able to transfer funds between accounts while you’re on vacation in Aruba, or while you’re at the movies is all so easy with mobile banking.

If you could invite anyone over for dinner, who would you invite? What would you cook?

If IWebinars, could invite anyone to dinner I would love to invite Husband Armando, For more information about ABA my grandparents.

They passed away when I was very Daughter Ava (11), and log on to www.arkbankers.org or call 501.376.3741. young, so they never got the chance to see me as Son AJ (4) an adult and mother. I’m not the best cook, but with my mother’s help, I would probably make a Chilean dinner. Traditionally, that would consist of a soup, salad, veggies, and a main meal consisting of a meat. And bread, of course.

Family

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CELEBRATE t STATE OF BANKING

Convention 2018 was all about celebrating leadership, celebrating friendships, and celebrating the contributions of Arkansas banks to their communities.

The 2018 Arkansas Bankers Association Annual Convention was held April 2-4 in downtown Little Rock at the Robinson Center. Following the momentum of last year’s event, the Convention focused on providing more energizing speakers and peer networking in a relaxed atmosphere.

The fun began on Monday with an afternoon ice cream social, followed by a family-friendly Game Night featuring skee ball, air hockey, pool, and PopA-Shot basketball. Bankers wore their favorite team’s attire and enjoyed the sports-bar-themed food and atmosphere while reconnecting with colleagues from across the state.

Tuesday started off with the National Anthem, sung

by Caitlyn Cook, and the posting of the colors by the Little Rock Catholic High Color Guard. The ABA business session and installation of officers was held before launching into the morning’s motivational speakers, Elliot Garbus, Andy Core, and Captain Brian Udell.

Attendees enjoyed lunch and a view of the Broadway Bridge during the fourth annual BKD Milestones in Banking Awards honoring industry veterans for their service to both their banks and communities. Lunch was followed by videos and a panel discussion on banker community involvement.

The day concluded on a high note with the CNA Chairman’s Reception and the DD&F Come Together Celebration and Dinner, featuring entertainment from Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos. The night was full of music, laughter, and dancing.

Wednesday kicked off a Convention staple, a Strawberry Breakfast hosted by Simmons Bank, followed by the 22nd annual Day with the Commissioner.

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Convention business sessions kicked off on Tuesday, April 3 with the posting of the colors by the Little Rock Catholic High Color Guard, and the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Caitlyn Cook.

Captain Brian Udell wowed attendees with his harrowing story of survival, leaving them with this bit of advice: “We don’t get to choose the day we’re going to have, but we do choose how we’re going to handle it.”

Cody Knight, Piggott State Bank, Piggott; and Randy Scott, Farmers Bank & Trust, Blytheville, take a seat before Tuesday morning’s business session.

SNAPSHOTS

Tuesday’s sessions were capped off by a “Bankers Give Back” panel discussion, moderated by Amy Johnson of Arkansas Access to Justice, and featuring bankers Don Gibson, Legacy National Bank, Springdale; Darrin Williams, Southern Bancorp, Little Rock; and Jim Cargill, Arvest Bank, Little Rock.

(Above Left) Arkansan Andy Core spoke on the power of positivity in today’s morewith-less workplace. He encouraged attendees to help employees grow their sense of meaning to truly maximize potential.

(Above Right) Elliot Garbus, former GM of Intel’s Transportation Solutions Division, discussed how technology has changed the landscape of the automotive industry, and gave attendees a glimpse of the future of driver-less vehicles.

This was the most informative meeting, or at least most relevant to me, in some time. I enjoyed it very much!

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(Above) James Taylor, Equias Alliance, Memphis; Herbert Thomas, First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock; and Randy Scott, Farmers Bank & Trust, Blytheville, catch up during Game Night.

(Right) Kirby Carlson, Fidelity National Bank, West Memphis; Wes Womack, First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock; David Coleman, Malvern National Bank, Little Rock, Craig Manatt, Peoples Bank, Sheridan; and Brandon Gentry, Cross County Bank, Wynne, during Tuesday’s breakfast.

(Far Right) Cathy Owen, Eagle Bank, Little Rock; and Judy Taylor of Russellville chat during the ice cream social.

SIMMONS STRAWBERRY BREAKFAST

Representing Simmons Bank at the annual Strawberry Breakfast were, from left, Rob Robinson, IV, Steve Massanelli, Daniel Robinson, Rusty Barham, Barry Ledbetter, Freddie Black, Matt Reddin, Bob Fehlman, Jerry Hunter, Marty Casteel, George Makris, and Phillip Tappan.

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(Below) John Thomas Anderson, Malvern National Bank, served as bingo caller during Game Night. Sitting in for the round were Donna Dennis, DD&F Consulting Group, Little Rock; John Orfanos, First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock; and Teck Ong, First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock.

SNAPSHOTS

(Left) Bankers and vendors let loose during the second annual ABA Convention Game Night. This networking event featured a sports bar atmosphere with games, food, and baseball being played on the big screens.

Exciting presentation...very worthwhile and will be reaching out for additional information for our staff.

CLICK HERE

to see more photos of our networking events!

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Gary Redd, First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Jacksonville; Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne; and Robert Taylor, Citizens Bank, Batesville.

Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne; Robert Taylor, Citizens Bank, Batesville; Joe Miles, Integrity First Bank, Mountain Home; Charles Penick, Petit Jean State Bank, Morrilton; and Jon Harrell, Generations Bank, Rogers, take the stage during the DD&F Dinner & Celebration with Deuce’s Wild Dueling Pianos.

Valencia Guinn, Arvest Bank, Little Rock; Sue and Ed Owens, Arvest Bank, Little Rock.

Philip Partain, Arvest Bank, Little Rock; Skip Colvin, Arvest Bank, Conway; and Mona Colvin.

THANK YOU TO OUR CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS John Thomas Anderson

John Orfanos

Malvern National Bank, Little Rock

First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock

Cathy Owen

Natalie Bartholomew Grand Savings Bank, Bentonville

Eagle Bank, Little Rock

Dave Dickson

Amy Pierce

Brandon Gentry

Sandy Starnes

Union Bank & Trust Co., Monticello

Citizens Bank, Batesville

Cross County Bank, Wynne

Brent Martin

Focus Bank, Jonesboro

16 The Arkansas Banker

Bank Strategic Solutions, Little Rock

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April 2018

Shout out to Robert Hargis, David Johnson, Robert Taylor, snell Ralph Bradbury, and Chris Go college for helping round up Arkansas gear for Game Night!

SNAPSHOTS

Jeff Brecklein, Integrity First Bank, Jonesboro; Bruce Hatton, Chris Hopkins, and Jeff Sabin, all of Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.

The Tuesday evening celebration was sponsored by DD&F Consulting, who is also celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Pictured here are some members of the DD&F family, Mary Ann Gammill, Randy and Donna Dennis, and Linda and John Hargrave.

Incoming Chairman Cathy Owen makes remarks to a packed house during Tuesday evening’s celebration.

The insights that come from relationships and fellowship with bankers are most valuable to me. The Tuesday speakers were the best group of speakers I’ve ever heard at a conference, and the banquet and entertainment was outstanding!

CLICK HERE

to see more reception & celebration photos!

April 2018

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ANNUAL DAY WITH THE COMMISSIONER

Congressmen French Hill, Arkansas’s 2nd Congressional District; and Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District, responded to questions from the audience during an informal dialogue.

Former Arkansan and FDIC Ombudsman Anthony Lowe explained the role of his office, and added “I really appreciate what you do, especially what you do for your community.”

Arkansas State Bank Commissioner Candace Franks opened the Day with the Commissioner with her annual State of Banking address on Wednesday, April 4.

Susannah Marshall moderates a panel discussion with ASBD officials Baker Moseley, Wilks Marshall, Michael Saunders and Richard Buzbee. The group covered a number of hot topics from CECL to cyber security.

Dr. James Bullard, President of the St. Louis Fed, made positive comments on rates, economic growth, and inflation patterns during his talk with bankers.

THANK YOU TO OUR CONVENTION SPONSORS American Bankers Association

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

Promontory Interfiancial Network

Arkansas Capital Corporation

Foundation Life Insurance Company

Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC

Bankers Assurance, LLC

HORNE, LLP

SBS CyberSecurity

Bankers Healthcare Group

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

Simmons Bank

BKD, LLP

Johanson Group / DB Squared

Southeastern Commercial Finance

Blackmon Auctions

Kalmer Solutions

The Payroll Company

Card Assets

Kutak Rock

Today’s Office

CNA Insurance Services

Lee & Mason Financial Services

Travelers

DD&F Consulting Group

NetGain Technologies

Works 24

Equias Alliance

One Digital Health and Benefits

18 The Arkansas Banker

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April 2018

SNAPSHOTS

#BankersGiveBack Convention Summer Snack Drive Deemed a Success

More than 300 Arkansas bankers participated in a Summer Snack Drive for the Arkansas Food Bank April 3-4 at the 2018 Arkansas Bankers Association Annual Convention. In total, the bankers brought in 530 meals during the two-day event, which marks the second “Bankers Give Back” campaign hosted by the Association.

“Giving is ingrained into the DNA of every banker. We want to help the 25% of Arkansas kids that don’t have adequate access to food when school is not in session. With summer just around the corner, we wanted to help Arkansas families stock their pantries, and lift a little stress from the parents who are doing their best to provide for their families,” said Bill Holmes, President and CEO of the Association. “There are more than 20,000 bankers serving in the communities across our state, so partnering with an organization that has an equally broad reach made perfect sense.”

The Arkansas Food Bank works with communities to ensure that children have adequate access to nutritious food — whether at home during the weekend, after school, or through the summer. The Food Bank distributes enough food for 57,000 meals per day, and set a record of distributing 26.5 million pounds of food in 2017.

The snack drive segued into a “Bankers Give Back” panel discussion featuring bankers Darrin Williams, Southern Bancorp, Little Rock; Don Gibson, Legacy National Bank, Springdale; and Jim Cargill, Arvest Bank, Little Rock.

“As bankers, we have the opportunity and responsibility to be a positive influence in the community’s growth and prosperity. Part of that role goes beyond providing capital for business investments in jobs and facilities, loans to buy homes and send kids to college. The role also includes a social responsibility to participate and many times lead the efforts to improve the lives of all people in the communities we serve,” said Gibson. “Our involvement with the community as a bank, and individually, fosters a sense of pride and connection.”

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Arkansas Milestone Bankers Honored Thirty-four longtime Arkansas bankers were honored with the BKD Milestones in Banking Awards at the 128th Annual Arkansas Bankers Association Convention on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. Awards were presented

by Gary Edwards, Michael Neathery, and Meagan Clark of BKD, LLP. These bankers have a combined 1,387 years of service to their communities and the Arkansas banking industry.

This marks the fourth year for the Milestones in Banking Awards, sponsored by BKD, LLP. To be eligible for the awards, bankers must have served 40+ or 50+ years in banking, and be actively employed by an Arkansas bank.

Glen Plumlee, Betty Phillips, and Mary Alice Granata, all of Legacy National Bank in Springdale, were honored for their 40 years of service to the Arkansas banking industry during the 2018 Milestones in Banking Awards ceremony. Presenting the awards were Gary Edwards (far right).

Tommy has been an active member of the Association, serving on the ABA Board of Directors, and as Group 3 Chairman. He was also instrumental in the organization of the Bank Management Seminar in Siloam Springs for nearly 30 years.

MARY SHELTON

Teller Farmers & Merchants Bank, Stuttgart Mary Shelton began her banking career in 1958 with Farmers & Merchants Bank in Stuttgart as a teller. In 1988 she was promoted from Cashier to Assistant Vice President.

Upon her promotion in 1988, the bank commented: “Mary has proven most capable in her years with the bank, earning the respect and administration of her associates and many customers.

We are pleased to recognize her with this deserved promotion for the dedicated person she is.”

Mary retired in 1998, and then returned to the bank as a Part-time Teller.

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TOMMY FREE

SVP of Business Development Centennial Bank, Fayetteville Tommy Free began his career in 1962 at the National Bank of Commerce in Pine Bluff where he worked during the summers.

In August of 1964, he went to work full time at the First National Bank of Crossett as a Management Trainee and Drive-in Teller.

Through his career, Tommy has worked at Commercial Bank in Monticello, Bank of Tillar, Union Bank of Monticello, and in 1976 began at Arkansas State Bank in Siloam Springs. Arkansas State Bank was acquired by Liberty Bank, which was later purchased by Centennial Bank where Free now serves as Senior Vice President of Business Development.

Tommy and his wife Rebecca have three children, Kendyal, Matthew and Jamey; and three grandchildren, Mitchell, Phillip and Claire.

“I have enjoyed working with customers and watching them grow,” Tommy says of his banking career.

MAXINE STEPHENS

Teller Simmons Bank, Jonesboro Maxine Stephens began her banking career as Proof Operator at First National Bank in March 1966. She served First National Bank and Simmons Bank as Teller, Head Teller, Teller Trainer, Customer Service Officer, Branch manager, and was elected Customer Service Officer. In July 2007 she retired and now currently serves as Part- time Teller.

LINDA BANTON

VP / Marketing Officer Cross County Bank, Wynne Linda Banton began her banking career as a Receptionist at Cross County Bank in 1978; later moved to the teller line, and eventually became Teller Supervisor. With a background in newspaper and printing, marketing was soon added to Linda’s responsibilities. Eventually, as the bank progressed, it was decided that a full time marketing officer was needed; she has been filling that role for the past 15 years.

“One of my favorite memories about my banking career was being the tour director for bank travel. I was fortunate enough to see many countries and many beautiful places that I might not have had the opportunity to see otherwise,” Linda said. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know customers and coworkers and especially the ones I consider friends that I’ve made over the past 40 years. Working at the bank, lead to my involvement in many community activities and organizations that I’m thankful to have had the experience of being a part of over the years.”

“I truly have been blessed to get to stay with such an outstanding banking organization virtually my entire career.

I have been guided and mentored by the best in the Banking Industry while at Simmons. From my early days as an Officer Trainee, to my days in the Collection Arm of the Lending Department, to my current job as Sr. Vice President and Lending Manager. I have enjoyed my tenure in the Banking Industry in general,” Wayne said. “It has been a very gratifying career and one I would recommend to other young folks seeking out a vocation where they can be involved in their Communities by giving their time and service to others through volunteer opportunities, truly helping folks from all walks of life reach their financial needs and dreams and at the same time be associated with some truly outstanding peers in our industry.”

The employees here and the customers all help to make me a better person. It can be hard work and challenging at times but just to help

make someone else’s day can make my day as well.

Kay Branscum Simmons Bank, Marshall probably spent more time with each other than we have our spouses and children. “ “The employees here and the customers all help to make me a better person. It can be hard work and challenging at times but just to help make someone else’s day can make my day as well,” Kay said.

BARBARA “KAY” BRANSCUM

Universal Banker Simmons Bank, Marshall Barbara “Kay” Branscum started her banking career as a Teller at Leslie State Bank in Leslie. She now serves as a Universal Banker for Simmons Bank.

LORA BRAWNER

Trust Officer / AVP First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne Lora Brawner joined the First National Bank family in 1978. Lora began her banking career in the bookkeeping department and served there for 16 years. Her banking knowledge and friendly demeanor became great assets to First National Bank and Lora moved to Customer Service where she assisted customers for 11 years. In 1999, Lora was promoted to Assistant Vice President and began supporting the Trust Department as an assistant. Over the

Kay says her relationships with co-workers have made her career a bright one.

“I have some of the best co-workers in the world, most of which have been here 30-40 years or longer,” she said. “ We are so much like family, as we have

WAYNE BOND

Lending Manager, Business Development Officer Simmons Bank, Jonesboro Wayne Bond began his career in 1976 as a Teller, Courier, and Mailroom Operator at the First National Bank of Jonesboro.

In 1978, the bank changed to a state charter and changed its name to First Bank and Trust of Jonesboro; in 1984, Simmons purchased the bank.

Wayne Bond, Simmons Bank, Jonesboro, was honored for 40 years of service to the Arkansas banking industry.

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next seven years, Lora’s dedication and enthusiasm resulted in a full-time Trust Department position, as well as being named the Trust Officer for First National Bank, where she still serves today.

RUTH ANN BROWN

Branch Manager II Simmons Bank, Jonesboro Ann Brown began her career at First National Bank of Jonesboro on July 12, 1976 as a Teller. When construction was completed on the current Caraway Road location, Ann was in the original group of bankers to move into the new building, and has continued her banking career in the same location.

Lora Brawner, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne, was honored for 40 years of service to the Arkansas banking industry.

Ann was promoted to the New Accounts Associate title in 1977, a role she held through the purchase of First National Bank of Jonesboro by First Bank and Trust in 1978, then another purchase by Simmons First National Bank in 1984.

Penny Wheelus, Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff; and Ruth Ann Brown, Simmons Bank, Jonesboro, were honored for 40 years of service to the Arkansas banking industry.

Ann was promoted to the title of Customer Service Officer in 1985, which gave her Branch Manager responsibilities which included oversight of the deposit staff in addition to her New Accounts tasks. She is currently the Branch Manager of the Caraway Road Simmons Bank location, a role she has been functioning in for 33 years.

Ann’s location on Caraway Road consistently ranks in the top three busiest branches of the entire Simmons Bank footprint, and she leads her associates by example day in and day out. Ann’s experience and knowledge in banking is unmatched, and she has always been one of the most recognizable faces of Simmons Bank in Northeast Arkansas throughout her career.

MARY ALICE GRANATA

SALLY BURNS

Teller First Security Bank, Searcy Sally Burns began her banking career in 1978 in the bookkeeping department at First Security Bank in Searcy; she now serves as a Teller for the bank.

“This has been a very rewarding experience,” Sally said. “I started in

22 The Arkansas Banker

bookkeeping and then I was asked to be a teller, where I remain today. I love the one-on-one relationships with the customers. I was in the first TV commercial and was a three-time winner of the Best Teller Award in our local newspaper for the Best of the Best.

The Rutledge Family are great people to work for, and I am proud to work at First Security Bank.”

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SVP Legacy National Bank, Springdale Marcy Alice Granata began her banking career in the credit department of First National Bank of Springdale in 1973; she worked as an assistant to consumer and commercial lenders at the time. In 1985, she was promoted to Mortgage Loan Officer, where she originated FHA, VA,

This has been a very rewarding experience. I love the one-on-one relationships with the customers... and I am proud to work at First Security Bank.

Sally Burns First Security Bank, Searcy

and conventional mortgage loans and became an FHA DE Underwriter. In 1994, she was promoted to VP and manager of the department.

In 1996, Mary Alice joined Arkansas National Bank, managing the mortgage department in the Springdale location; she was promoted to EVP in 2004, managing the secondary

market division, closing department, commercial and consumer doc prep and ANB Title.

Mary Alice served at Bank of the Ozarks and First Federal Bank of Harrison before joining Legacy National Bank in 2011 as Vice President, originating FHA, VA, RD, and conventional mortgage loans. She was promoted to SVP in 2016.

Mary Alice currently serves as an Ambassador for the Springdale Chamber of Commerce and is a Past President of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Mortgage Banker’s Association.

PATRICK HAGGE

SVP / Lending Manager First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Cabot Pat Hagge began his banking career in August of 1975 at First Jacksonville Bank.

He currently serves as SVP/Lending Manager for First Arkansas Bank & Trust in Cabot.

DAVID HARDKE

SVP / Community President Farmers & Merchants Bank, Stuttgart David Hardke began his banking career at Planters Bank & Trust in January 1972 as a Management Trainee; he was later promoted to VP and Loan Officer.

David now serves as SVP/ Community President for Farmers & Merchants Bank in Stuttgart.

Service Representative, and Corporate Secretary.

At one time I tried to add up all of the great people that I have worked beside during my 40+ years. I have found that banking bonds last a lifetime.

BEA HAYS

Compliance / BSA Officer First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Jacksonville “Picture a day before micro-fiche, computers, ATM’s, and teller machines.

My first days in banking looked like that! Little did I realize when I began my banking career by filing checks and answering phones that I would see technical advances beyond my imagination.”

Bea Hays First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Jacksonville “I was privileged to see the bank grow from $35 million in assets to over $768 million; from a staff of 23 to 282; from 3 branches to 22 branches including a credit card division in Atlanta,” she said.

“At one time I tried to add up all of the great people that I have worked beside, all the babies I have seen added to the FABT extended ‘family,’ and all the marriages that have occurred during my 40+ years, not to mention all the Girl Scout cookies and school fund raiser items I have purchased. I still remember the friends I made at First National which was also where I received my first car loan. I have found that banking bonds last a lifetime.”

Bea Hays began her banking career at First National Bank in Little Rock, only to leave banking after getting married.

She returned to the banking field in 1972 at First Arkansas Bank & Trust – then First Jacksonville Bank. Over the years she has worked in all areas of the bank except HR and Trust.

Bea was promoted to Assistant Vice President in 1986 while supervising Loan Operations. In 1999 she was promoted to Internal Auditor, and was promoted to Vice President while serving as the bank’s Compliance and BSA Officer.

Bea taught Introduction to Banking for AIB and served as Treasurer, Secretary and Vice President of the AIB Education Board. She served for seven years on the FOCAL Board for the Central Arkansas

Bea retired at the end of 2014, but returned to the bank in February 2016 to assist the Audit Department. In October 2017, she was made the bank’s Interim Compliance & BSA Officer.

“What means the most to me as a community banker is now having provided loan funding to three generations, helping people achieve their goals and dreams,” David said.

KAREN HARDKE

SVP / Customer Service Representative, Corporate Secretary First State Bank, Lonoke Karen Hardke began her banking career in May of 1976 at the First State Bank in Lonoke as a Teller, New Accounts Representative, and Loan Processor.

She now serves as SVP / Customer

First Arkansas Bank & Trust employees honored for 40 years of service were Patrick Hagge, Bea Hays, Gary Redd, and Ronnie Housley.

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later purchased by First Arkansas Bank & Trust, where he currently serves as VP / Commercial Loan Officer.

TERRY LAX

First Security Bank employees honored for 40 years of service were Kathy Parker, Sally Burns, and Jackie Nowotny.

Library System and over 14 years on the Board of the Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activities Center, and is an active member of The Summit Church in North Little Rock.

CATHY HORTON

EVP Fidelity National Bank, West Memphis Cathy Horton began her banking career in the Bookkeeping/Proof Department at Tyronza Bank in March 1978.

She currently serves as Executive Vice President at the Fidelity National Bank in West Memphis.

DANNY HORTON

Community Banker II Simmons Bank, Marshall Danny Horton began his banking career in the Bookkeeping Department at Citizens Bank in Marshall.

He now serves as a Community Banker for Simmons Bank.

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RONNIE HOUSLEY

VP / Commercial Loan Officer First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Clinton Ronald G. Housely began his banking career as a Bookkeeper at Leslie State Bank in 1973, filing checks and posting transaction to the statements and ledger. He worked his way up to the teller line and then to the Note Teller.

In 1975, he was promoted to Assistant Cashier and Loan Officer, and later was promoted to Vice President and Loan Officer.

In 1983, Ronnie joined Guaranty Savings and Loan Association in Marshall as VP/ Loan Officer.

In December 1985 the Federal Savings and Loan Association declared Guaranty Savings and Loan insolvent and took possession of their assets and placed them in receivership. In January 1986, Ronnie began working for the Federal Savings and Loan Association as a Special Representative and Assistant Managing Officer for the receivership.

He was responsible for liquidation of assets for the Guaranty receivership. He was also involved in the initial takeover and liquidation of assets in other savings and loans.

Ronnie began working for The Cleburne County Bank on June 1, 2002 as Vice President/Loan Officer. This bank was

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Project Manager Simmons Bank, Bolivar Terry Lax began his banking career as a Bookkeeper at Hardeman County Savings Bank in 1971. He later served as a Proof Operator, Teller, Note Teller, Head Teller, and in the Loan Operations and Accounting Departments. Terry was promoted to Assistant Cashier and Supervisor of the Savings/CD Department in 1983; to VP and head of the Accounting Department in 1986; and to SVP of Deposit and Branch Operations in 2007. Hardeman County Savings Bank became First South Bank in 1994 and merged with Simmons Bank in 2017; he currently serves Simmons as a Project Manager.

SHIRLEY LEE

Loan Operations Officer Cross County Bank, Wynne “Small town community banks are the way to go!”

Shirley Lee began her banking career as a Bookkeeper at Cross County Bank in 1978, not thinking that banking would become her career. She now serves as Loan Operations Officer for the bank.

“I started out as a bookkeeper in 1978 not thinking I would make banking my career. I soon felt right at home and was later transferred to be a teller. Meeting new people almost every day was most rewarding. I made some friends that have lasted 40 years. For the last 20 or so years I have worked as a loan clerk and have learned so much more about banking. If I had a chance go back and change things I would still be a bank at my bank, Cross County Bank.”

JANIS LITTLE

VP / Bookkeeping Fidelity National Bank, West Memphis Janis Little began her banking career in 1978 as a Teller at Fidelity National Bank; she currently serves as Vice President of Bookkeeping at the bank.

PEGGY MASSEY

Teller Simmons Bank, Leslie Peggy Massey began her banking career as a Teller & Proof Operator for Leslie State Bank; she continues to serve her customers and the community as a Teller for Simmons Bank.

JACKIE NOWOTNY

SVP First Security Bank, Clarksville Jackie Nowotny began her banking career as a Bookkeeper at the Farmers National Bank, which later became First Security Bank.

LINDA ORF

VP / Compliance Officer First National Bank of Izard County, Calico Rock Linda Orf began her banking career with State Bank of Calico Rock in 1974

after graduating from Calico Rock High School and Capital City Business School.

She has remained with the same bank for 44 years even though the names have changed, first to First State Bank in 1983, then to First National Bank of Izard County in 1986.

definitely has the best customers around!

During her time at the bank she saw many changes, especially when they first converted to computer processing.

Before that, she says they knew everyone’s signature and looked at every check before it was paid.

She began working in bookkeeping as Proof Operator back in the day when the proof was a very large ten key machine with a TV tray to put the work on and a wooden cabinet with cubby holes on the left side to separate and place the work in once it was run. But she started this only after she did her obligatory weeks of filing checks. After working in bookkeeping for several years, she was transferred to the note window where she received and processed loan payments. All of this was done by hand, with the payments being posted on the notes, then the general ledger and finally to the individual’s record in the posting journal. She recalls that one time it was taking so long that her supervisor promised hot fudge sundaes at the local Shake Shack if they could find the outage. It was found shortly thereafter! From the note window, it was a natural transition to processing loans (on a typewriter using a calculator) and eventually she was in charge of the maintenance and tracking of the real estate loans. In 1998, after doing several jobs with the bank, she was named Compliance Officer and Auditor and in May 2014 she was named Vice President.

The one thing that never changed was how she felt about her job. Although things got a little stressful during all the regulatory changes over the years, she always felt blessed to be working for a great bank with great people who were always more like family than co-workers.

PAULA PARKER

VP / Corporate Secretary Fidelity National Bank, West Memphis Paula Parker began her banking career as a Teller at the First National Bank of Brinkley in March of 1976.

She currently serves as Vice President / Corporate Secretary at Fidelity National Bank in West Memphis.

KATHY PARKER

VP First Security Bank, Mountain Home Kathy Parker began her banking career after returning home to Mountain Home; she took a job as a Receptionist at Peoples Bank & Trust Co. in Mountain Home, which later became First Security Bank....and has worked her way to VP of Lending.

One of the things she most enjoyed about her years at the bank was getting to know so many customers. She thinks First National Bank of Izard County

Through these relationships I’ve built through the years, the people that come to the bank aren’t just customers to me, they are friends and family.

Linda Orf, First National Bank of Izard County, Calico Rock, was honored for 40 years of service to the Arkansas banking industry.

April 2018

Kathy Parker First Security Bank, Mountain Home

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Throughout her career, she has done a little bit of everything, and considers herself blessed to have been a part of the organization.

“Working as a community banker in a retirement area, sometimes you are one of the first people to make an impression on the retirees as they start a new phase of their life. I’ve always enjoyed meeting the people who move here, learning about why they chose to move to this area, where they came from, etc.,” she said. “ Through these relationships I’ve built through the years, the people that come to the bank aren’t just customers to me, they are friends and family. “

BETTY PHILLIPS

VP / Mortgage Lending Legacy National Bank, Springdale Betty Phillips began her banking career in 1975 as a New Accounts/Consumer Loans Representative at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Credit Union.

She went on to work at the First National Bank of Little Rock Mortgage Branch in Springdale, First Federal Savings Bank Mortgage Branch in Rogers, First National Bank of Springdale, and helped open the Simmons First National Bank Mortgage Branch in Springdale.

Betty went on to serve as VP/Manager of Mortgage Lending at United Bank and Chambers Bank before joining the newly-formed Legacy National Bank in 2005, where she was hired to head the mortgage department. Her current duties include closings, and underwriting government loans.

GLEN PLUMLEE

SVP / Business Banking Legacy National Bank, Springdale Glen Plumlee began his banking career in 1972 as a Teller at the First National Bank of Springdale. In 1974, he moved into the note department, and later became a Consumer Loan Officer. In 1986, Glen was named AVP / ConsumerCommercial Loan Officer, and became VP / Commercial Loan Officer in 1992.

In August of 1998, he joined United Bank in Springdale as SVP / Commercial

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Loan Officer where he worked until coming to Legacy National Bank in March of 2007 as SVP/Business Banking.

GARY REDD

SVP / Senior Lender First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Jacksonville Gary Redd began his banking career as a Teller at First American National Bank in North Little Rock in 1974.

In 1976, he joined Worthen Bank & Trust Co. in Little Rock, where he served as Teller, Head Teller, Vault Teller, CSR, Branch Manager, and Consumer Loan Officer.

Gary has served VP/Lender roles at the National Bank of Arkansas, Cleburne County Bank, and Heber Springs State Bank, as well as serving has Community President at First Service Bank in Greenbrier.

In 2006, Gary joined First Arkansas Bank and Trust as SVP/Senior Lender.

Gary currently serves as President of the Eden Isle Corporation; is a member of the Baptist Health Foundation of Cleburne County (President 2013-15); is a member of the Heber Springs School Board (President 2012-13, 2017-18). He was a member of the Heber Springs Rotary Club (President 2007-08), and Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce (President 2006).

EVELYN SHIVERS

Senior Teller Fidelity National Bank, West Memphis Evelyn Shivers began her banking career in July 1977 as a Teller at Fidelity National Bank, where she continues to serve her customers and community.

LIBBY WATERS

VP/Loan Operations Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff Libby Waters began her banking career in 1977 as a Loan Clerk for Simmons Bank.

She now serves as VP/ Loan Operations for the bank.

DEBBIE WATTS

Branch Manager II Simmons Bank, Marshall Debbie Watts began her banking career as a Secretary at the Citizens Bank of Marshall; she now serves as a Branch Manager for Simmons Bank.

PENNY WHEELUS

Underwriter III Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff Penny Wheelus began her banking career in the proof department at Union State Bank in Junction City in 1968. She went on to work for American Bank & Trust Company in Monroe, Louisiana; Peoples Bank of Mississippi, Bankers Trust Savings & Loan, and Meridian Federal Savings & Loan, all in Meridian Mississippi.

Penny began working with Simmons in 1975 as the Executive Secretary for then SVP of the Commercial Loan Division, W.E. Ayres. She continued as Mr. Ayres’s secretary until 1984, when she took on the role of Mortgage Loan Processor and later became AVP, Mortgage Loan Originator and Underwriter. In 2001, Penny was named VP, Senior Underwriter for the Real Estate Division.

Penny is a member of the Pine Bluff Board of Realtors and the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association.

LARRY WILSON

Chairman, President and CEO First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Jacksonville Larry Wilson started his career as a Marketing Officer at First Arkansas Bank & Trust on June 7, 1971, and has served in various capacities at the bank since that time. He was named President in 1982, and also holds the titles of Chairman & CEO. Wilson is a graduate of Arkansas Banking School and the School of Banking of the South at LSU.

Mr. Wilson has served as Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association.

SHIRLEY WITT

Teller Supervisor / Security / AVP First National Bank of Wynne, Harrisburg Shirley Witt began her banking career in December 1978 under the former Bank of Harrisburg.

Shirley’s attention to detail initially landed her a position in the

bookkeeping department where she operated the proof machine and check sorter. A few years later, Shirley became a teller in the drive-thru where she became a familiar face and friendly voice to customers in Harrisburg. From there, Shirley was promoted to Loan Secretary.

By 2004, Shirley became a Consumer Loan Officer and advanced to Assistant Vice President. Shirley continues to assist many positions at First National Bank in Harrisburg and currently serves as Security Officer and Teller Supervisor.

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Analyzing Bank Performance 5/14/2018 - 6/29/2018 The Banking Industry 5/7/2018 - 6/1/2018 Bank Lines of Business 5/21/2018 - 6/15/2018 Marketing in Banking 5/7/2018 - 6/1/2018

Building Customer Relationships 6/4/2018 - 6/29/2018

Managing Funding, Liquidity, and Capital 6/11/2018 - 7/13/2018

Legal Foundations in Banking 7/16/2018 - 9/21/2018

Intro to Trust Products & Services 6/18/2018 - 7/20/2018 Marketing Planning 6/18/2018 - 7/13/2018 The Banking Industry 7/9/2018 - 8/3/2018 Consumer Lending 7/9/2018 - 10/26/2018 Money and Banking 7/9/2018 - 10/26/2018

Intro to Agricultural Lending 7/23/2018 - 9/7/2018 Bank Lines of Business 7/23/2018 - 8/17/2018 General Accounting 7/23/2018 - 11/9/2018 Analyzing Financial Statements 7/30/2018 - 11/23/2018 Marketing Management 7/30/2018 - 8/24/2018

For more information about AmBA Training, log on to www.arkbankers.org or call 501.376.3741.

April 2018 nApril The2018 Arkansas n TheBanker Arkansas Banker

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Family Values & Business Sense: Cathy Owen Named Chairman

of the Arkansas Bankers Association Cathy Owen was fresh out of college when she took on the role of running a bank...now, nearly four decades later she has taken the role of the 128th Chairman of the Arkansas Bankers Association.

Installed on Tuesday, April 3, the Chairman of Little Rock’s Eagle Bank & Trust marks the first female to lead the Association.

A BACKGROUND IN BANKING

While Owen’s banking career officially began as a summer job in 1974, her first memories of banking reach back to 1967, the year First State Bank of Sherwood opened its doors.

Owen’s father, Harry Hastings, Jr., witnessed the population growth taking place in Sherwood from the skies during his flights in and out of Adams Field, now named the Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport. He applied for a bank charter in the early 1960s, but regulators felt there were adequate banking facilities in neighboring areas to serve the community. Hastings pushed forward and petitioned for the bank to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

In a two-to-one vote, he was granted the charter, with a caveat that the bank must be built and operating within six months. On January 7, of 1967, the bank opened.

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KES Photo | Karen E. Segrave

“My brothers and I all remember, right before the opening, we were on the floor scrubbing the labels off the linoleum with bottles of 409,” Owen laughed. “My job the day of the opening was to hand out ink pens to everyone who entered the bank.”

While Hastings chartered, built – literally, he cleared the land and constructed the building – the bank, and served as chairman of the board for many years, he had never actually

worked in a bank. He encouraged his daughter to get involved in this family business. It was per this request that Owen went to work at the bank in the summer of 1974.

“I had no intentions of going into banking, but since no one else in the family had worked in banking, my father thought that it would be a good idea,” she said.

“Of course, back then everything was done manually and by hand, so you really learned processes, and departments overlapped. What became so valuable through those summers that I worked, is that I learned lots of different people’s jobs. After doing that for several summers, I made finance and banking my degree in college.”

She graduated college in 1980 with every intention of coming back to work in the bank. Just a few weeks postgraduation, the then-bank president unexpectedly passed away, and Owen was called upon to run the bank.

“I knew that I didn’t have all the skills I needed, nor all the knowledge and information I needed, but I had worked with the staff long enough that I knew them really well and I knew where the strengths and weaknesses were. I knew I wasn’t capable of doing everything that needed to be done in running the bank, but I knew enough to know that I needed to hire the right people and make some shifts.”

KES Photo | Karen E. Segrave

“I was the first one to work in the morning and the last one to leave in the evening, kind of proving my way out.

So [the bank president] let me sit in and learn with other people,” Owen recalled.

Through the years she gradually converted both banks to the same vendors, and went through policies, working on the best time to consolidate.

The banks now operate under the Eagle Bank name, and the Heber Springs charter date of 1919.

In 1984 she started State Holding Company, knowing that it was a necessary step in growing the bank; later that year, she led the purchase of Heber Springs State Bank, and consolidated the two banks in 2012.

“I continued to grow with the bank, always felt like I had the confidence to make the bank a success but also didn’t feel like I needed the front role position,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot from peers, within banking and from other industries, as well as from my family. I believe one of the most important things we can do is to never stop learning.”

“I kept them separate for a long time for several reasons,” Owen explained.

“It was really two different markets and different cultures, and none of their back side operations were the same. I knew they needed to be consolidated at some point, but knew the timing needed to be right.”

Owen is quick to note that her family has played – and continues to play – a strong role in her success. From the inspiration of her father, to the teachings of her mother, the friendship of her brothers, and constant support of her husband and children.

“I think it’s hard to separate career and family because when you’ve done something as long as I have they’ve got to intermix, they’ve got to support each other and complement each other to be successful in both of them,” she said.

She credits her father for much of her business sense and work ethic – something undoubtedly passed down from his father. Harry Hastings, Sr. came to Little Rock with a sixth grade education and little to his name. Though he was eager to start a business, he was unable to find anyone to lend him the money. In 1935, he was able to pull together the funds to start a wholesale liquor distributorship, Moon Distributing. As the business became successful, Hastings didn’t forget his early struggles and began loaning money to other small business owners. Harry Hastings, Jr., built on the success of his father, growing the distributorship, starting the bank and Arkansas Bolt Company, as well as large real estate holdings.

FAMILY TIES

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“Dad exposed all of us [to business] from an early age – many meetings we attended with him and were told to be seen and not heard, but we were sitting on the side lines. Often we didn’t want to be there, but we didn’t realize what we were absorbing and taking in,” Owen recalled. “At the same time, he exposed me to lots of things that I didn’t realize the benefits of – whether it was getting my pilot’s license, I’ve driven 18-wheelers, I’ve operated backhoes and bulldozers and heavy equipment, I’ve been on construction sites from the time I could walk, I’ve ridden motorcycles and driven boats and four-wheelers, all of those things that when it comes to financing them and understanding how they operate and different pieces and just things that you don’t realize if you haven’t done it yourself.”

“I’m very blessed to have wonderful parents, great brothers – my brothers are my best friends, we sit on each other’s boards. We’re great advisors and work really well together, we all think very differently, it’s amazing how we complement each other really well.

We learned how to work really hard together, learned to agree to disagree at times, and then go have fun,” she said.

“Family has always been too important to all of us to risk that, or to lose that.

We are a third generation, our kids are a fourth generation, and there’s now a fifth generation out there – our parents now have nine great-grandchildren, so you hope it’ll carry on through the next generations.”

Both of Owen’s children work in the bank; Steven is a Licensed Appraiser and Sara is the bank’s BSA Officer and works in Accounting.

“I would love for one of them to rise to the top, to leadership, but they are still young,” she said. “It’s really got to be their decision – it’s not about what I want, it’s got to be what they want, and they’ve got to be willing to devote the time and energy to prove themselves and to earn that respect. I also think the timing has to be right for them and the bank.”

A WOMAN IN BANKING

While she has always been confident of her abilities to lead the bank, Owen has remained cognizant of the fact that she is a female operating in a maledominated industry. During her early years in banking, Owen recalls looking up to fellow female bank president, Elizabeth “Betty” Wilkinson of Farmers Bank in Greenwood, who served on the State Bank Department Board during the 1970s.

“Betty Wilkinson was the highest female that I knew of in banking. She spoke her mind, and was not intimidated by any of the men or any of their opinions.

A female in banking that had that confidence behind herself and was also respected by her male peers – I’ve never forgotten it, and what an impression that made on me,” Owen said. “I very distinctly remember thinking ‘if I could just get to – wow! – maybe sit on the State Bank Department Board...’ in my mind that was the highest a female could go. Of course today, our Commissioner is female – and many more positions and paths have opened up to females.”

Owen is the first female among a 128 year legacy of bankers to lead the Association – something she doesn’t take lightly.

“I have to say it’s a huge honor. I’m very excited and I’m very honored,” she said.

“I also think that there are certainly many women within Arkansas that are worthy of and could serve this role very well, and a number of women who have come before me and have actually helped pioneer the road for me - I think not only of the Betty Wilkinsons, but the Candace Frankses and the Susie Smiths, and many other women who are not necessarily in banking today but have been very involved.”

“I hope that I am a role model to some young women coming up – just as I saw Betty Wilkinson – of knowing that there’s really no bounds by gender for women anymore,” Owen added.

In addition to being a role model for other women in banking, Owen hopes to encourage men to offer their daughters the opportunity to succeed professionally, just as her father did for her.

“A daughter can learn just as much and be exposed to as many industries and businesses as a son can, and a daughter can be very feminine, while also being a tomboy at the same time,” she said.

“I don’t want fathers to shortchange

Cathy Owen with her family at the 2018 ABA Annual Convention. From left, Steven, Cathy, Steve, Sara, and Drew.

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their daughters by not exposing them to some of the things that they might expose their sons to.”

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

Owen has taken a strong role in the community; she currently serves on the Baptist Hospital Foundation Board as Chairman-Elect and as Secretary to its Executive Committee, the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and Board, the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum Foundation, Fifty for the Future, and teaches for the Arkansas Scholars Program. She has also served as an Arkansas State Fair Talent & Queen judge for the past twelve years.

She is a past Chairman of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, President of the Arkansas Arts Center Fine Arts Club, and an Alumna of the National Security Forum Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama.

She has also served the Association in several capacities – as a member of the Board of Directors, on the Executive Committee, and was actively involved in the Emerging Leaders Section (then Young Bankers) in the early 1980s, serving as Treasurer in 1984.

This commitment to community began through her college sorority’s philanthropic activities, and has grown and changed over the years.

“Once I had children I was homeroom mom, I was school field-trip driver mom, I helped with soccer and snacks, I was Girl Scout cookie mom and PTO President. I got involved in whatever our children were involved in – it’s doubledipping in a sense; it’s getting involved with the community, but also being with your children and being involved in what’s going on with them and what’s important with them,” Owen said. “I chose to really get devoted in and carry

some higher roles in some of these charitable organizations – chairing the Chamber of Commerce, attending the Air War College – after my children were grown.”

THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

Owen sees the future of banking as a bright one, but something that bankers need to be willing to work, and adapt, for.

“There will always be a need for banking, and I think there will always be a need for large banks as well as community banks, depending on the industry, the business, the individual and what their needs are,” she said. “I do think that – as hard as it is – banks that can differentiate themselves with a niche, that it can be very helpful. I don’t think that it’s necessary for survival, but I think that it’s helpful.”

(Top Left) Cathy Owen on stage at the 2017 ABA Women in Banking Conference with American Bankers Association Vice Chairman Laurie Stewart.

(Top) Cathy Owen with the 2018-2019 ABA Executive Committee, Dave Dickson, Jon Harrell, Jim Cargill, and Rob Robinson, IV. (Above) Cathy Owen (first row, right) with other 1984 Young Bankers Officers, Steve Trusty, Paul Nipper, Robert Huff, Thelma Gail McCormack, and Holly Eddins.

She also feels that the future of banking depends on bankers making their voices heard in the political sector.

will make headway on a few items that are showing signs of progression in Washington.”

“One of the most important things bankers need to do is participate in our trips to Washington. We can’t expect change in regulation if we’re not willing to be on the front line and go fight for it. Now that the number of banks has shrunk in the state and nationwide, it’s more important than ever for our voices to be heard,” she said.

“Banking is unique...we’re involved with every industry practically that’s out there.” It is that sensibility that has guided her family’s pursuit of the American dream, and has driven Owen’s success as a banker. “I’m proud of our longevity in the banking industry today - that we’re not for sale, we’re not looking to sell, we have no desire to sell,” she said. “I still believe there’s a bright future for community bankers that want to continue in community banking.”

“I don’t think we’ve gotten the relief that we hoped we would get, as quickly as we’d hoped,” she said of the continuing regulatory battle. “I’m still hopeful we April 2018

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FACES OF THE ABA: 2018-19 LEADERSHIP Chairman-Elect Rob Robinson

Robert Robinson is the Market President of Simmons Bank in El Dorado. Prior to joining Simmons Bank in 2004, he served Arvest Bank, Central Bank & Trust, and the Arkansas State Bank Department.

Chairman-Elect Rob Robinson and his wife Leigh Anne.

Robinson takes an active role in his community, and is currently serving as Vice Chairman on the Medical Center of South Arkansas Board of Trustees, Vice President of the South Arkansas Community College Foundation Board; President of Arkansas Hospital Trustees Association; and is on the board of El Dorado Fifty for the Future. He has previously served on the DeSoto Area Council Boy Scouts of America, El Dorado Rotary, El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, Union County Industrial Board, El Dorado Golf and Country Club, and the First United Methodist Church Finance Committee.

Vice Chairman Jon Harrell

Jon Harrell is the Chairman of Generations Bank in Rogers and President and CEO of Harrell Bancshares, Inc. He is the fifth generation Harrell to lead the management team of Generations Bank, leading the bank into the Northwest Arkansas market and growing its total assets in excess of 78% since 12/31/13.

Jon’s banking career began with the Arkansas State Bank Department in 1988, where he developed many of the relationships that have been essential to his career. He is a graduate of The Graduate School of Banking at LSU, and previously served a three-year term on the ABA Board of Directors.

Vice Chairman Jon Harrell and his wife Sheila.

Jon currently serves on the Rogers Area Chamber of Commerce as Board Member and Chairman of the Audit Committee. He is also a cabinet member of the St. Mary’s Heritage Society.

Treasurer Jim Cargill

Jim Cargill is President and CEO of Arvest Bank in central Arkansas, overseeing Arvest’s retail, consumer, and commercial banking operations.

Throughout Cargill’s career, he has helped develop Arvest’s marketing initiatives, including an extensive sales and service culture training program designed to take Arvest’s customer service to a higher level. He has also worked to further Arvest’s ability to identify bank products and services that are of the greatest benefit to customers.

Cargill is a member of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Fifty for the Future Board of Directors, UA- Little Rock Foundation Board of Directors, and the Little Rock Downtown Rotary Club.

Treasurer Jim Cargill and his wife Kathleen.

Past Chairman Dave Dickson

Dave Dickson is President & CEO of Union Bank & Trust Company in Monticello.

He is also a member of Union Bank’s and First Union Financial Corporation’s Board of Directors. Dickson has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Bankers Association for the past six years; he is also a member of the American Bankers Association’s Membership Committee.

Dickson is very active in the Monticello community: he is a member of First Baptist Church, a member and Past President of Twenty for the Future, a board member of the Monticello Economic Development Commission, and Past President of the Southeast Arkansas Cornerstone Coalition.

Past Chairman Dave Dickson and his wife Memorie.

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Dickson and his wife Memorie have three daughters: Meredith, Anna, and Katherine.

2018-19 ABA Board of Directors Jeff Brecklein

Community President Integrity First Bank, Jonesboro

Group 1

David Dowd

Randy Scott

President & CEO Cross County Bank, Wynne

President & CEO Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Blytheville

Board Member Since 2016

Board Member Since 2017

Johnny Adams

Board Member Since 2018

Group 2

Chip Blanchard

Barry Ledbetter

Board Member Since 2017

Board Member Since 2018

Board Member Since 2018

Marnie Oldner

Wilson Moore

Lynn Wright

City President First Security Bank, Conway

CEO Stone Bank, Little Rock Board Member Since 2018

President & COO First State Bank, Russellville

Chief Banking Officer Simmons Bank, Little Rock

Regional President Bank of America, Little Rock

President - Arkansas Area Regions Bank, Little Rock Board Member Since 2016

Board Member Since 2013

Don Gibson

President & CEO Legacy National Bank, Springdale Board Member Since 2016

Chris Gosnell

Chief Banking Officer Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Magnolia Board Member Since 2016

Craig Attwood

EVP/Director of Banking FBT Bank and Mortgage, Pine Bluff

Group 3

Lance Lanier

Jason Tennant

Board Member Since 2018

Board Member Since 2017

Executive Vice President Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Van Buren

President Cornerstone Bank, Eureka Springs

Group 4

Mark Roberts

Lori Ross

President Malvern National Bank, Malvern

City President Citizens Bank, Arkadelphia Board Member Since 2017

Board Member Since 2018

Group 5

Gene Crawford

David Jessup

President, Trust Services Citizens Bank, Batesville

President & CEO DeWitt Bank & Trust, DeWitt

Board Member Since 2016

Board Member Since 2018

Board Member Since 2017

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MEMBER NEWS Kindness Pays Off for Students Over the past 30 days, Mrs. Rachele Emberton’s class at Wynne Primary School in Wynne were challenged to be difference makers. Acts of kindness performed by students were rewarded with “difference maker bucks.”

On Friday, March 16, students spent their earnings at the Difference Maker Market provided by First National Bank and received a certificate for being a difference maker in the classroom.

Overall, the class earned $315 in difference maker bucks.

During the process, students learned the importance of “paying it forward” and doing acts of kindness, saving money, how to count money, and creating a budget based on the amount of money they earned and items in the store they could purchase with their earnings.

Mrs. Emberton stated that students enjoyed the ownership of having their own accountability program in place.

As a class, they determined what acts of kindness were and the amount of

“money” each act should earn. Special acts of kindness received five dollars in “difference maker bucks” which became a huge incentive for students.

Arvest Kicks Off Eighth Year of Fighting Hunger Arvest Bank’s 1 Million Meals initiative challenges bank associates, customers and community members to participate in fundraising efforts and nonperishable food drives to fight hunger in the more than 120 communities the bank serves.

The initiative is needed, as Arkansas ranks 5th among the most food-insecure states in the nation, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Arvest kicked off the two-month, bank-wide effort April 2, to provide at least one million meals to local, hungry families, and it will continue through June 2. The initiative will conclude later that month, when donations are presented to 75-plus locally selected organizations that feed the hungry in their communities.

Arvest in central Arkansas has partnered with the Arkansas Food Bank for the duration of the initiative. All donations received in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Maumelle, Conway, Morrilton, Benton, Bryant, Jacksonville, Cabot and Lonoke will go to the Arkansas Food Bank to provide meals to local, hungry families. Central Arkansas residents can participate in 1 Million Meals by dropping off nonperishable food items or making monetary donations at any of the Arvest branches in central Arkansas or by calling (866) 9529523. Arvest credit card customers also can donate Arvest

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Flex Rewards™ points by visiting arvestflexrewards.com and clicking on the 1 Million Meals banner. Every dollar raised through 1 Million Meals provides the equivalent of five meals for those in need.

“This is a time of year our associates look forward to because they see first-hand the impact we are making toward reducing food insecurity in communities statewide,” said Jim Cargill, president and CEO of Arvest Bank in central Arkansas.

“The Arkansas Food Bank serves 450 local partners in a 33-county area in Arkansas, so the need is tremendous and every donation toward keeping shelves stocked is critically important.”

Arvest is conducting its annual initiative in the spring for the third consecutive year due to the fact food banks report an increased need for food items in the summer, when many children do not have the benefit of eating meals at the schools they attend. According to the Food Research and Action Center, for example, only one out of seven children who ate a free or reduced-priced school lunch during the 2015-2016 school year were reached by the Summer Nutrition Programs in July 2016. Donations to food banks also tend to be lower in the spring and summer than at other times of the year.

First Community Bank’s Opens 2nd Cabot Location First Community Bank’s 2nd Cabot location located at Hwy. 89 & 11 Prospect Court is now open for business. The beautiful 4,636 sq. ft. building symbolizes the 21st location in the bank’s branch network.

“We are excited to give Cabot another convenient community banking location,” said David Wood, market president for Cabot and Searcy. “This location puts us in the hub of Cabot allowing us to better serve the businesses and customers on this side of town.”

The branch offers a spacious community room that can be scheduled for community events and meetings at no charge. The room is also be offered to the public for a nominal fee for personal events excluding events that are designed to solicit, take orders or sell.

In September of this year, First Community Bank opened a full service location in Little Rock, Pulaski County, at the corner of Cantrell and Kavanaugh.

First Community Bank also has locations in Independence, White, Sharp, Baxter, Craighead, and Poinsett counties, as well as Newton and McDonald counties in Southwest Missouri.

The lobby hours for the new location will be Monday thru Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Friday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Drive thru hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The bank’s location at 3084 Bill Foster Memorial Hwy. will remain open with slightly revised banking hours. Amber Mayfield will serve as a secondary market loan originator for the Bill Foster Memorial Hwy. location. Secondary mortgage originator, Bart Tuggle, has relocated to Prospect Court along with commercial lender, Mike Brannon and Colbey Frisbee, the bank’s newly named community president.

“We are really pleased to expand our presence in Lonoke County,” said Frisbee. “First Community Bank offers a unique style of community banking that takes customer service to the next level. Just like all of our other locations, we will strive to exceed our customers’ expectations each and every day.”

Consumer Resources: Tips for Financial Spring Cleaning As Americans kick off the spring season by cleaning, sorting and tidying up around the house, the Arkansas Bankers Association and American Bankers Association are encouraging consumers to add financial organization to their spring cleaning to-do list. Here are six tips for organizing your financial house to pass along to your customers: Review your budget. A lot can change in a year. If you’ve been promoted, had a child, or become a new homeowner or renter, be sure to update your budget. Determine what expenses demand the most money and identify areas where you can realistically cut back.

Develop a strategy for spending and saving – and stick to it.

Evaluate and pay down debt. Take a look at how much you owe and what you are paying in interest. Begin paying off existing debt, whether that’s by chipping away at loans with the highest interest rates or eliminating smaller debt first.

Set up automatic bill pay. By signing up for automatic bill pay, you’ll never have to worry about a missed payment impacting your credit score. You can set it so that money is withdrawn from your checking account on the same day each month.

Sign up for e-statements, paperless billing and text alerts. Converting to paperless billing will help keep your house—physical and financial—more clean and organized, and will help protect you from fraud.

Check your credit report. Every year, you are guaranteed one free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus. Take advantage of these free reports and check them for any possible errors. Mistakes can drag down your score and prevent you from getting a loan, or cause you to pay a higher than necessary interest rate.

Manage your money on the go. Utilize your bank’s mobile app to check your balance, pay your bills, transfer funds, deposit a check and send money to friends from wherever you are.

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BANKER NEWS & MOVES Armor Bank Announces Chad May as Chief Executive Officer Armor Bank is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Chad May as Chief Executive Officer of the bank and the holding company, Big Creek Bancshares, Inc. Within this role, May will be responsible for the vision and strategy of the organization, including the development of a Central Arkansas presence for the Forrest City based bank. He will be based in Little Rock, where the bank plans to begin its expansion.

“I am very honored to join the Armor bank team. I have a great deal of respect for the entire Waldrip family and I am excited to lead such a talented group of individuals as we work toward growing our Central Arkansas presence and beyond. Armor Bank has a great focus on our customer base and our values align in our dedication to growth and client service,” said May. “It is a great opportunity to build upon a long history of 99 years of success in the Forrest City area.”

May comes to Armor with 19 years of experience in the banking industry. Most recently, May worked as a Commercial Banking Executive for Regions Bank, headquartered out of Birmingham, Alabama. There, he spent his last nine years in business and commercial banking and was responsible for 18 commercial lenders across multiple markets in Arkansas.

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“We are fortunate to have Chad join our team,” said Board Chairman Mark Waldrip. “He brings a passion for customer service, along with a dedication to excellence. Chad shares the value we place on our employees and clients. He is the right fit for our culture and will be an asset as we grow.”

Chad is a board member for the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and is the current chairman of the Centers for Youth and Families board.

He has also held various roles with United Way, Arkansas Bankers Association Emerging Leaders, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement and Arkansas Foodbank.

May, a Pine Bluff native, graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing management. He and his wife Joye live in Little Rock with their two children, Jackson and Mary Alice. n

Gary Griffin Named Executive Vice President of Stone Bank SBA Division Vincent Muratore, President of Stone Bank’s Small Business Administration

(SBA) Loan Division, has announced the addition of Gary Griffin as Executive Vice President of the SBA Division, effective immediately. Muratore stated, “Gary’s extensive experience in all aspects of SBA lending will strengthen the government guaranteed n

April 2018

platform we are building here at Stone. Stone Bank looks forward to significantly expanding our SBA lending by continuing to add to our team.” Griffin most recently was CEO of Capital Growth Solutions, a leading Lender Service Provider. He brings almost 40 years of SBA lending experience in origination, credit, servicing and liquidation. He is a past board member of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, was a CPA in both Tennessee and Georgia, and conducts numerous courses and webinars for state and regional SBA organizations nationwide. n

Integrity First Bank announces promotions in Mountain Home Market Joe Miles, Integrity First Bank President and Chief Lending Officer, recently announced on behalf of the Board of Directors several promotions within the Mountain Home Market.

Executive Vice President, Scott Copeland, has been promoted to Community President of the Mountain Home Market. Copeland has worked in banking for the past 13 years. He joined Integrity First Bank in March 2005 as manager of the bank’s Lakeview branch.

“Scott is the consummate community banker in that he represents Integrity First Bank regardless of time of day or day of week in every aspect of his personal and

professional life. He is ideally suited for this leadership role with our bank and the communities we serve,” stated Miles.

Other promotions include Jaren Beavers to Vice President, Marketing & Business Beavers Development; Shannon Dobbs to Vice President, Retail Services; Ashley VanderStek to Vice Dobbs President, Internal Audit; Christal Deatherage and Shawna Rosson both promoted to VanderStek Assistant Vice President, Loan Services; and Dayna Hall has received Officer Status Deatherage in her role as Branch Manager of the Integrity First Bank Gassville office.

“These respective promotions are based upon exemplary service to the bank and community Hall and for their efforts to improve the quality of service for our customers,” Miles stated. n Rosson

Grand Savings Bank Announces Staff Promotion and New Hires Grand Savings Bank is pleased to announce a promotion and two new hires to their banking team.

Melanie Sixkiller has been promoted from Assistant Vice President/ Branch Manager/Loan Assistant to Assistant Vice President/ Branch Manager/Loan Officer in the Jay location. Sixkiller has been with Grand Savings Bank for 20 years and started her banking career in 1997 as a teller. She is the Vice President of the Jay Lions Club, President of the Jay Touchdown Club and an active member of the Jay Chamber of Commerce.

“Melanie has a long tradition of providing excellent service to Grand Savings Bank customers and it is my honor to see a successful home town girl be given this opportunity for advancement” said Johnnie Earp, Jay Market President.

Matthew Bennett joins Grand Savings Bank as Vice President in our Fort Smith location.

Bennett has 26 years of banking experience and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Oklahoma. He’s a board member of the Sallisaw Chapter Lions Club and the Sallisaw Youth League.

“Matt is a great fit for our community bank culture

given his family history in banking and is a fantastic addition to our Fort Smith team,” said Tyler Steele, Vice Chairman.

Stacey G. Marave joins Grand Savings Bank as Loan Officer in our RogersHudson location. Marave has been in the banking industry for 6 years and previously was an Assistant Branch Manager. She’s a graduate of Heritage High School, has an associate’s degree from Northwest Arkansas Community College and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas in Business Administration.

She’s been a volunteer for the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We are very excited to have Stacey join the Grand Savings Bank team. She has an engaging personality and strong passion for service to her clients. Her strong local ties and relationships, especially in the Rogers area, will be a real asset to her clients and teammates,” said Tommy Coughlin, Market President Rogers and Bentonville.n

Mickey Pierce Elected Chairman of the Board The Board of Farmers and Merchants Bank has a new chairman.

Mickey Pierce was recently elected to the leadership position, following the retirement of long-time

Chairman Roy O. “Bud” McCollum December 31, 2017.

Pierce, who is the owner of Pierce and Company Inc. of Stuttgart, has served as a bank director since 1987, and as Vice-Chairman since 1998.

He is a licensed General Contractor for the State of Arkansas. His company provides commercial construction services in a 40 mile radius of Stuttgart.

With plants in Stuttgart and DeWitt, Pierce and Company is a supplier of ready mixed concrete for the entire county of Arkansas.

Pierce is a native of Stuttgart, and graduated from Stuttgart High School. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas State University.

He is a member of Saint Albans Episcopal Church in Stuttgart. He and his wife Lisa enjoy family life, sports, and travel.

“The bank has been in expansion mode for some time and we expect continued growth and profitability under Mickey’s leadership,” said President and CEO Gary Hudson. n

Citizens Bank Adds Michael Dolan, Expands Team in South Central Arkansas Experienced Hot Springs banker and business executive Michael Dolan has joined Citizens Bank as Senior Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer and Regional Credit Administrator.

April 2018

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“Citizens Bank continues to expand its impressive team of local bankers who have earned strong reputations for caring and helping build our communities,” said David Wooldridge, Market President for South Central Arkansas.

“Citizens Bank is committed to becoming Hot Springs’ hometown bank, and the addition of Michael Dolan will help us as we respond to the financial needs of our existing and new business customers.”

Dolan began his banking career in Hot Springs in 2001, and has accumulated an impressive resume’ of executive level positions with three successful banking organizations.

“Michael understands the importance of how local community banks are more responsive than the so-called ‘mega’ banks whose branches cannot make decisions locally,” Wooldridge said.

“Citizens Bank prides itself on our ability to know and relate to our customers, and help them as much as possible with their personal and business requirements.”

Dolan holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas.

He is also a graduate of Southern Methodist University’s Commercial Lending School in Dallas.

He and his wife, Dr. Lindsey Dolan, have two children, Olivia and Graham, who both attend Lakeside High School in Hot Springs. n

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BANKER NEWS & MOVES Simmons Names Reddin President of Banking Enterprise

School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.

Simmons Bank has announced that Matt Reddin was named President of Banking Enterprise. Reddin previously served as Chief Lending Officer at Simmons.

In this new role, Reddin will oversee the chief lending officer and the chief retail officer. The chief lending officer directs all commercial lending production including small business, healthcare and agriculture lending.

The chief retail officer manages the bank’s retail branch network and deposit strategy. Reddin will also be responsible for additional areas including treasury management, product development, correspondent banking and mortgage.

“Matt is a well-known and highly respected banking executive who brings many years of experience successfully leading teams in developing and growing customer relationships,” said Marty Casteel, Simmons Bank Chairman and CEO. “He has a proven track record of effective leadership at Simmons, and this new role will give him a full view of our retail and lending services.”

Reddin is a native of Camden, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in business administration with an emphasis in management from Ouachita Baptist University.

He completed the Southwestern Graduate

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Reddin was selected as one of Arkansas Business’ 40 Under 40 in 2009 and is a graduate of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Greater Little Rock program.

As an active community leader, Reddin serves on the board of the Arkansas Arts Center and has previously served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas and Arkansas Children’s Hospital Committee for the Future. n

First Western Bank Announces Promotions First Western Bank has announced the following officer promotions: Allie Vorhees, Rogers, has been promoted from Branch Manager to Branch Officer.

Elisa Reynolds, Rogers, has been promoted from Loan Operations Manager to Loan Operations Officer.

Tara McGlocklin, Rogers, has been promoted from Deposit Operations Manager to Deposit Operations Officer.

April 2018

Doug Johnson, Rogers, has been promoted from NWA Regional Manager to Vice President.

Tim McCarley, Rogers, has been promoted from Assistant Vice President to Vice President.

LaVonn Thompson, Booneville, has been promoted from Staff Accountant to Controller of First Western Bancshares, Inc. n

Southern Bancorp’s Wendy Von Kanel Promoted to Market President Southern Bancorp has announced the promotion of Wendy Von Kanel, current Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending to Market President for Phillips County. In her new role, she will be leading all bank operations in Phillips County, which includes branches in Helena-West Helena, Marvell, Barton, and Elaine.

“I am honored to lead Southern Bancorp’s efforts to build wealth and economic opportunity in Phillips County,” said Von Kanel. “Our long-standing commitment

to this community will only grow as we seek to help individuals get on the path to opportunity, and I’m proud to play a new role in spearheading that effort.

A Marvell native, Von Kanel joined Southern Bancorp 20 years ago as a mortgage processor. She has risen through the ranks and held the position of Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending since 2012.

Von Kanel attended Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, and lives in Lexa with her husband Alan and their two children Bailey and Reese. n

State Bank Department Promotes Two

Sonnier

The Arkansas State Bank Department promoted J. D. Sonnier and Seth Parsley to Bank Junior Examiner effective April 15, 2018. n

Parsley

Beth Smith Joins Eagle Bank Jeff Lynch, President and CEO of Eagle Bank & Trust, announces that Beth Smith has joined the bank as Vice President and Manager of Compliance, she will also serve as the bank’s Community Reinvestment

Act (CRA) Officer. Prior to joining Eagle Bank she served as Vice President of Compliance and BSA Officer at another Central Arkansas bank. Smith earned her BS in Human Environmental Sciences from The University of Missouri in 1988 and graduated from the Barrett School of Banking in 2009 she is also a 2005 graduate of the ABA National Compliance School.

A native of Springfield, Missouri, she and her husband Tim reside in Bryant and are parents of a son, who is currently a student at Arkansas Tech University.

Smith has actively supported her community as a past member of the Board of Directors for the Bryant

Chamber of Commerce and served as Chairman of the Taste of Bryant Committee for many years. n

Parrot Retires from Eagle Bank Eagle Bank and Trust was honored to host a retirement reception for Janice Parrott January 26, celebrating her 36 years of employment at the bank.

Janice began her career with Eagle Bank in 1982 as an Executive Administrative Assistant advancing through the years to Executive Vice President and Manager of the banks Operations Division.

With determination and hard work she led the bank in implementing technological advance systems from its infancy to the latest available for the convenience of the bank staff and customers.

Her days did not end when the bank closed its doors at the end of the day. Her community involvement are numerous holding leadership positions in many civic and business organizations throughout the community.

She has served as a mentor for many employees who have used her shared banking knowledge to have successful and rewarding careers of their own. Janice always had a willingness to go above and beyond and has always put in extra time and effort into the job.

The bank celebrates her accomplishments as well as her future endeavors especially the extra time her retirement allows her to spend with her husband Jim and her beloved children and grandchildren. n

Give your employees the recognition they deserve!

Submit Banker News & Moves to traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org.

2018

GSB ONLINE SEMINAR SERIES ONGOING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

About the GSB Online Seminar Series Offering a convenient and cost-effective way to participate in educational opportunities, these programs are designed specifically for financial professionals and delivered by some of today’s top industry experts. The use of state-of-the-art audio and video technology ensures a quality, interactive learning experience. Relevant, bank-specific topics provide a solid educational value for you and your staff.

Registration includes: • One connection into the online seminar presentation—invite others to participate through the same connection at no additional cost • Handouts and other resource material • Unlimited access to the recording of live, online seminar presentations for 90 days after the conclusion of the program • Access to industry experts and nationally known speakers from the convenience of your office

Educating Professionals, Creating Leaders GSB_OLSAd_ArkBankr_7.25x5_1217.indd 1

GSB.org April 2018

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