Fall Conference Wrap-Ups

Marketing Conference

The ABA and Sells Agency teamed up to host the second annual ABA Marketing Conference November 7-8 in Little Rock. The event, which pulled in nearly 50 bankers from across the state, featured local and national speakers and experts on a range of topics, as well as three round table discussions. On Monday, Jeff Wingfield of Acxiom discussed utilizing customer demographics to best benefit your organization. This topic segued into the next speaker, Gary Dowdy of the Venture Center, who discussed FinTech and innovation, including what’s already in place and what is in the near future. Tuesday’s featured speaker, Jeff Slutsky of Streetfighter Marketing kept attendees laughing while giving them innovative ideas on building relationships and generating creative and more effective communication. Panel discussions included a Media Mix Round Table with representatives from TV, radio, and digital media formats; a Marketing and Compliance panel with area bankers sitting in both departments; and an “Ask the Bank Executives” panel, with representatives from Centennial, First Financial, Simmons, and Arvest Banks. Bankers sitting on the Marketing & Compliance Round Table were Roger Sundermeier, First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Jacksonville; Kim Hightower, River Town Bank, Dardanelle; Beth Weldon, First Financial Bank, El Dorado; and Sarah Bolek, Arvest Bank, Lowell.

Jeff Wingfield of Acxiom kicked off the conference with a talk on utilizing the customer demographics banks already collect to their maximum potential.

Bankers sitting on the Ask the Bank Executives Panel were Scott Hancock, Centennial Bank, Fayetteville; Craig Mobley, First Financial Bank, El Dorado; Daniel Robinson, Simmons Bank, Jonesboro; and Jim Cargill, Arvest Bank, Little Rock.

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Marketing Conference!

18 The Arkansas Banker | December 2016 Managing Director of The Venture Center in Little Rock, Gary Dowdy, gave attendees a look at the future of FinTech.

How does a Street Fighter grow their business? Jeff Slutsky gave conference-goers some out-of-the-box tactics for building relationships.

Technology Conference

The PC Assistance team led a live-hacking session during the 2016 Technology Conference, showing bankers just how vulnerable their websites and databases can be.

IT professionals from across the state gathered in Little Rock November 29-30 for the annual ABA Technology Conference, which provided two days of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and opportunities to visit with various technology vendors. The goal of this event is to keep Arkansas IT professionals on top of the trends, and help them be an advocate for meeting the needs of their respective banks. Topics at this year’s event included operational efficiency selfassessments, new technologies, FinTech, educating staff and customers, a hacking demonstration, technology and education trends, storage solutions, and a panel discussion with representatives from the FDIC and Arkansas State Bank Department.

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Dale LaMotte and Carl Crosby of NetGain Technologies present Darren Barry, First Arkansas Bank and Trust, Jacksonville (center) with a door prize.

Tom Hagin (center) of All Covered presented Brody Walker, First Security Bank, Searcy, and Tyler Watson, Farmers Bank & Trust, Magnolia with door prizes.

Attendees listen as representatives from the FDIC and Arkansas State Bank Department weigh in on current and upcoming regulation.

Glen Humphreys and Michael Wingo of Federal Protection, Inc. present Rod Humphrey, Legacy National Bank, Springdale (center) with a door prize. Trent Fleming discusses how managers can assess and improve the operation of their departments using the key areas of staffing, technology, planning, and measuring.

Women in Banking Conference

The ABA celebrated our state’s female bankers on November 16 at the 2016 Women in Banking Conference in Little Rock. More than 70 bankers were in attendance for the event, which featured motivational speakers, a speed-networking session, office-appropriate stretch break, and panel discussion with some of the state’s “leading ladies” in banking. The event kicked off with internationally-known author AmyK Hutchens speaking on leadership and effective communication; a perfect lead-in to the event, Hutchens motivated the group to more effectively problem solve and goal set with her mantra of “change your thinking, change your behavior, and change your results.” Honey Shelton, a favorite instructor for the ABA, gave attendees a crash course in coaching themselves and others to ensure the success of their organization (along with a bit of humor). Shelton also led attendees in a speed networking session that Jill Castilla, President & CEO of The Citizens Bank in Edmond, Oklahoma, was a crowd favorite for the day, while Castilla often speaks to groups of bankers about her turn-around of the bank that has now been in her family for four generations, she offered insight into her personal story at the ABA event, from her childhood to her military experience, to proving herself in the banking industry. The day wrapped up with a Women in Leadership panel featuring Arkansas bankers Connie Allmond, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Stuttgart; Cara James, Arvest Bank, Lowell; Lisa Ray, Arvest Bank, Springdale; and Donna Townsell, Centennial Bank, Conway. AmyK Hutchens challenged attendees to “ignite brilliance” in their teams, both personally and professionally. “ ” I thought the speakers were even better than last year...I’m sure it will keep improving each year. Good event!

Donna Townsell Centennial Bank

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photos from Women in Banking Conferencer!

Tracey Dennis, Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff; Connie Neighbours, Southern Bancorp, Hot Springs; and LaTina Curry, One Bank, Little Rock.

“ ” Wow! So inspiring and motivating. I left there feeling there wasn’t anything I couldn’t overcome because of Jill’s story. I would really like for her to come speak to all the women at our bank. Excellent presentation. Karen McLelland Bank of Prescott Veteran banker Jill Castilla shared her personal story of climbing from the bottom to the top during the ABA Women in Banking Conference in November.

Former banker and long-time trainer Honey Shelton gave the group tips on how to coach their teams. Shelton also led the “speed networking” session.

Back by popular demand, the Women in Banking event featured a “Women in Leadership” panel discussion. This year’s panelists were, from left, Cara James of Arvest Bank, Lisa Ray of Arvest Bank, Donna Townsell of Centennial Bank, and Connie Allmond of Farmers & Merchants Bank. The group discussed a variety of topics, from dress codes to work-life balance.

Tara Allen, FNBC Bank, Ash Flat; Shelli Wilson, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne; and Tanya James, Arvest Bank, Little Rock.