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Member News
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has announced the following changes to its Little Rock Branch board of directors, effective January 1, 2016:
Robert Martinez, owner of Rancho La Esperanza in De Queen, Ark., has been reappointed to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Charles Morgan Jr., president and CEO of Relyance Bank N.A. in Pine Bluff, Ark., has been appointed to a threeyear term on the board of directors of the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Chairman of the Little Rock Branch board of directors for 2016 will be Ray C. Dillon, president and CEO of Deltic Timber Corp. in El Dorado, Ark. Also serving on the board are: Michael A. Cook, senior vice president and assistant treasurer of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Bentonville, Ark.; Keith Glover, president and CEO of Producers Rice Mill Inc. in Stuttgart, Ark.; Karama Neal, COO of Southern Bancorp Community Partners in Little Rock; and Mark White, president and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield in Little Rock. Members of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the advisory boards of its three branches in Little Rock, Ark., Louisville, Ky., and Memphis, Tenn., are familiar with the economic and credit conditions of their respective regions. Their observations – along with the economic data and information gathered and analyzed by St. Louis Fed staff – help ensure that conditions of Main Street America are represented in Federal Open Market Committee deliberations in Washington, D.C. St. Louis Fed Little Rock Branch Announces Changes to Board of Directors
Phil Baldwin, President and CEO of The Citizens Bank announced that regulatory approval has been granted for Citizens Bancshares of Batesville, Inc., parent company of The Citizens Bank headquartered in Batesville to acquire Parkway Bank of Rogers, Arkansas. The transaction closing is effective immediately; however Citizens Bank and Parkway Bank will continue to operate separately under their current names until their banking systems can be consolidated, which is scheduled for mid-summer of 2016. Customers of both banks should continue to conduct business as usual at their existing bank locations and should continue to use their same checks, debit cards, and online banking services until further notice. Customers can contact their local office with any questions. “We are pleased to have regulatory approval to move forward with our merger of these two community banks,” stated Phil Baldwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Bank. “This is an excellent opportunity for Citizens to expand and enhance its existing bank franchise in Arkansas.” “Customers will not experience any changes at this time, which includes the Parkway staff and management,” Baldwin added. In a previous release it was announced that Bob Taylor, former President and CEO of Parkway Bank will remain with The Citizens Bank in the position of Northwest Arkansas Regional CEO to assist with integration activities and customer relations in Northwest Arkansas. After integration is complete, Taylor will become Executive Credit Officer with bank wide responsibility for lending activities and credit decisions. With this transaction The Citizens Bank will have total assets of over $750 million and 16 branch locations in Arkansas. To learn more, visit The Citizens Bank’s website at www. thecitizensbank.net. The Citizens Bank Approved to Acquire Parkway Bank
‘America Saves Week’ Set for February 22-27 The ABA is encouraging Arkansas banks to take part in the tenth annual “America Saves Week,” taking place February 23-28, 2016. Coordinated by America Saves and the American Savings Education Council, “America Saves Week” is an opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status. Individuals turn to banks to keep their money safe and secure, and for information on how to better their financial wellbeing. The ABA encourages banks to take advantage of this opportunity by sharing consumer resources including savings tips and budgeting materials. Log on to www.americasaves.org for details.
ARKANSAS BANK DEPARTMENT APPLICATIONS & APPROVALS Branch Bank Application An application filed by Diamond Bank, Murfreesboro, Pike County, Arkansas, to establish a branch banking facility at 2215 East Parkway Drive, Russellville, Pope County, Arkansas, has been approved. December 21, 2015. Merger Application An application to merge Parkway Bank, Rogers, Arkansas, with and into The Citizens Bank, Batesville, Arkansas, has been approved. December 16, 2015.
Amanda J. Andrews, who has 10 years of experience as an Arkansas attorney, has been hired as Bank Chief Counsel for the Bank Department. As Bank Chief Counsel, Andrews will be responsible for preparing case strategy, serving as an expert litigator before federal and state courts and agencies. In addition, she will be the Bank Commissioner’s chief legal adviser regarding all banking issues, including the drafting of legislation and Bank Department rules and regulations. Andrews most recently served as Associate Counsel for the Arkansas Insurance Department, which she joined in June 2011. In that position, she was responsible for legal and compliance matters, including licensing. Her role at the Insurance Department included investigating producer and company misconduct; conducting administrative hearings; drafting legislation, rules, bulletins, directives, legal opinions, and administrative orders and notices; and representing the Department in litigation and administrative appeals. Andrews began her legal career in December 2005 as a Research Attorney for the James Law Firm. In August 2007, she was hired as an Associate at the Laser Law Firm in Little Rock. Andrews received her Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in May 2005. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications at the University of Arkansas at Monticello in May 2002, minoring in biology and graduating cum laude. Andrews was granted a bar admission in 2005 to practice before the Arkansas Supreme Court, Arkansas Court of Appeals and all Arkansas trial courts. In 2006, she was granted a bar admission to practice before the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western districts of Arkansas. Andrews is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and Pulaski County Bar Association. She is a native of Arkansas. “We are so fortunate and pleased to have Amanda join us in such a critical role,” said Bank Commissioner Candace A. Franks. “Her years of professional legal experience will prove to be invaluable to the Bank Department and the state-chartered banks our office supervises.” Amanda Andrews Hired as Bank Chief Counsel
Educating Professionals, Creating Leaders
More than $225,000 in Scholarships Available Annually
The Arkansas Bankers Association is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to its member bankers through the Herbert V. Prochnow Educational Foundation, a supporting organization to the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The GSB Prochnow Foundation offers nearly one quarter million dollars in scholarships every year to bankers who want to improve their careers and organizations through education.
Scholarships are distributed through the ABA for the Graduate School of Banking and the GSB Human Resource Management School. Apply today for a scholarship to attend a program at the nation’s leading and most progressive banking school. For details, contact Kami Coleman at the Arkansas Bankers Association at kami.coleman@arkbankers.org.
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Arkansas Bankers Association
MYATT APPOINTED TO CORNERSTONE BANK ADVISORY BOARD Charles T. Cross, President and CEO, Cornerstone Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of James Myatt, the local bank’s Berryville Market President, to the Advisory Board of Directors for Berryville and the Eastern District of Carroll County. Myatt has been with the bank since 2009 and has served as the Market President for its location in Berryville, Arkansas since 2013. Cross stated, “James has been instrumental in our bank’s success and continued growth in the Eastern District of Carroll County. He has provided outstanding leadership to our team of bankers in that market and I know he will bring those same attributes to our bank’s advisory board of directors.” Myatt currently serves as President of the Berryville Chamber of Commerce and was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Arkansas Rural Development Commission by Governor Asa Hutchison.
VANDER HORN NAMED AVP /COMPLIANCE OFFICER FOR CORNERSTONE BANK The appointment of Joy Vander Horn as Assistant Vice President/ Compliance Officer has been announced by Cornerstone Bank Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, Jason Tennant. Vander Horn will oversee the bank’s overall compliance responsibilities. Vander Horn, who has been with the bank since May of 2012, has been Compliance Manager over the past year. Before her appointment as Compliance Manager, Vander Horn worked as a Teller and Finance Service Representative. Vander Horn will be located at the bank’s Financial Center on Highway 62 in Eureka Springs. Tennant stated, “Joy has taken the initiative to make our bank’s compliance department seamless and very well organized. She understands the importance of compliance in today’s banking environment and is doing an excellent job. We are very proud of Joy’s advancement and look forward to her leadership at Cornerstone for many years to come.” Ms. Vander Horn has a degree in Business Administration from Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She moved to Holiday Island in 2012 and joined Cornerstone Bank. In 2015 she achieved the designation of Certified Community Bank Compliance Officer from the Independent Community Bankers of America. She serves on the bank’s Compliance Committee and Audit Committee in her capacity.
Bob King has been named Community Bank President of The Bank of Fayetteville. The announcement was made by Gary Hudson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers and Merchants Bank, the Stuttgart-based financial institution which acquired The Bank of Fayetteville November 30. “We have full-faith and confidence in Bob, knowing he will lead our team with the same enthusiasm and focus he has
26 The Arkansas Banker | January 2016 exhibited during his long tenure at The Bank of Fayetteville,” said Gary Hudson. King has been with The Bank of Fayetteville since 1999 and served as Executive VicePresident of Lending Operations since July 2004. He has more than 35 years of experience in banking. “I am honored to be appointed Community Bank President of The Bank of Fayetteville and I’m committed to preserving the mission of our founders to be the premier community bank in Northwest Arkansas,” said King. “Our merger with Farmers and Merchants Bank brings new opportunities and services for our customers, partners and community. I look forward to playing an active role in all areas of our bank as we continue to assist our civic and cultural organizations, as well as helping small businesses improve and expand their economic status.” King is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife Mary make their home in Fayetteville.
FLETCHER JOINS STONE BANK AS SENIOR LENDING OFFICER
Nick Roach, Chief Lending Officer of Stone Bank, has announced that Blake Fletcher has joined the Mountain View, Arkansas-chartered bank as a Senior Lending Officer in the bank’s new Little Rock Loan Production Office. “We are very pleased that Blake has become a part of our team, Roach said. “He is a very talented and experienced professional banker who will provide leadership and productivity as we enter this new market.” Blake Fletcher is a Lonoke, Arkansas native who achieved his BSBA in Finance from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a diploma from the Southwest School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He has also pursued additional training in construction and consumer lending and Asset/Liability Management through the Arkansas Bankers Association. A 15-year veteran of banking in Arkansas, Fletcher is involved in a number of community activities in the Little Rock area. He is currently serving as Vice President of the Arkansas Bankers Association’s Emerging Leaders Council and on that group’s Government Relations committee.
STATE BANK DEPARTMENT PROMOTES MCCORMICK
The Arkansas State Bank Department has promoted Andrew McCormick to Bank Junior Examiner. McCormick is a commercial examiner assigned to one of two groups based in Little Rock. McCormick was hired by the Bank Department on December 30, 2013. Immediately prior to his hiring, McCormick worked as a credit analyst at River Town Bank in Dardanelle. He also has served as a “universal” banker at U.S. Bancorp in Little Rock - selling bank deposit and loan products and services, referring clients to brokerage products, and originating and closing consumer loans - and as a financial services representative/ teller at Arvest Bank in Little Rock. McCormick received a Bachelor of Business Administration, with an emphasis in personal financing planning, at the University of Central Arkansas in May 2010.
