The Arkansas Banker January 2015

The State of the Agricultural Economy

AR Bank Security & Fraud Outreach

The Arkansas

Banker

The

Education Issue Volume XCIX, No. 1 | January 2015 January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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The ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking University of Pennsylvania | June 4-11, 2015 Setting the Standard in Executive Education for 80 Years

Visit abastonier.com for details.

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

The Arkansas

Banker Volume XCIX, No. 1 | January 2015

The Arkansas Banker is the official publication of the Arkansas Bankers Association.

CONTENTS

EDITORIAL OFFICE

1220 West Third Street Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone 501.376.3741 | Fax 501.376.9243 www.arkbankers.org

COLUMNS

SUBSCRIPTION

Subscription to The Arkansas Banker magazine, which began monthly publication in April 1917, is included in the membership fees to the Arkansas Bankers Association.

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.

Emerging Leaders Update

Daniel Robinson

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Washington Update

10

Political Perspective

12

Legislation & Regulation

25

Member News

28

Banker News & Moves

31

Index of Advertisements

11

Arkansas Bank Security & Fraud Outreach

14

The State of the Agricultural Economy

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

MAGAZINE RATES

Cover price is $5.95 each. Annual subscription rates are $40.00 for members and $60.00 for non-members.

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ADVERTISEMENT

The publication of advertisement does not necessarily represent endorsement of those products or services by the Arkansas Bankers Association. The Editor reserves the right to refuse any advertisement.

President’s Column

EDITORIAL

The Arkansas Banker seeks to reflect the banking news of Arkansas and other news of direct interest to the Arkansas Bankers Association. Statement of fact and opinion are made on the responsibility of the authors alone and do not represent the opinion or endorsement of the Arkansas Bankers Association. Articles may be reproduced with written permission only.

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Bill Holmes

Gov. Frank Keating Roby Brock

Ava Franks

By Dr. David Kohl

16 Graduate Schools of Banking

SPECIAL FEATURE: EDUCATION

18

2015 GSB Scholarships

20

Professional Development in Action

22

2015 ABA Conferences & Schools

24

A Look Back at 2014

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Arkansas Bankers Association, 1220 West Third Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Taking a Look Back at 2014...

Our persistent advocacy, along with our close alliance with the American Bankers Association and the 52 other state associations, produced some tangible successes with our regulators and with Congress last year. With your efforts and assistance we were able to help our banks compete more effectively and to save money.

Reg Relief was, and is, an everyday topic of conversation with both regulators and legislators. In the very last days of the 113th Congress, HR3329 was passed. This bill will help hundreds of our hometown banks by increasing the Fed’s “small bank holding company” threshold from $500 million to $1 billion. Also in that last-minute push the spending bill had a provision that will allow banks to conduct more swaps in the bank, rather than through an affiliate, enabling banks to offer family farmers a one-stop banking experience.

Earlier in the year, our hard work was rewarded when the regulators finalized the risk retention rules. This rule aligned the QRM standard with

CFPB’s QM standard, removing the 20 percent down payment requirement. There were other mortgage rule improvements that eased our liability risks and regulatory burdens, including rules on QM thresholds, a cure period for certain errors and the creation of a smallservicer QM exemption.

Let’s not forget early last year when the AmBA sued the federal banking regulators on the Volker Rule’s treatment of CDO backed by community banks’ trust preferred securities. It produced a change to the rule that saved banks millions in write-downs.

PRESIDENT & CEO BILL HOLMES

Looking forward, there are several measures to further reduce the Reg burden positioned for action in the upcoming 114th Congress.

The House has passed bills to eliminate annual privacy notices for institutions that haven’t changed privacy practices, clarifies the CFPB’s points-and-fees test, exempts CLOs from the Volker Rule and one to provide a process to appeal the CFPB’s rural or underserved designation.

Two other bills cleared a House committee: one

ABA STAFF BILL HOLMES

President/CEO 501.978.3602 | bill.holmes@arkbankers.org

CARLA BRINKLEY

VP/Controller 501.978.3608 | carla.brinkley@arkbankers.org

AVA FRANKS

VP/Director of Government Relations 501.978.3606 | ava.franks@arkbankers.org

JESSICA SAHENE

Marketing Coordinator 501.978.3609 | jessica.sahene@arkbankers.org

STUART THALHEIMER

Executive Assistant 501.978.3605 | stuart.thalheimer@arkbankers.org

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The TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker || January January2015 2015

AARON GAMEWELL

EVP/COO 501.978.3613 | aaron.gamewell@arkbankers.org

KAMI TAYLOR COLEMAN

VP/Professional Development 501.978.3614 | kami.coleman@arkbankers.org

TRACI LOGSDON

Director of Communications 501.978.3603 | traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org

TERRI KELLY

Professional Development Coordinator 501.978.3607 | terri.kelly@arkbankers.org

BRENDA SCARBROUGH

Administrative Assistant 501.978.3600 | brenda.scarbrough@arkbankers.org

would provide escrow and servicing rules exemptions for small mortgage lenders and servicers, and the other says that portfolio mortgage loans are QM-qualified.

Bankers were also very influential in focusing Congress’ attention on the unintended consequences of the BiggertWaters flood insurance reform law. Legislation to correct these issues, including affordable premiums and escrow reforms, was signed into law in March.

Works in progress include our request to have oversight hearings and a tightened rein on the Farm Credit System, a review of the tax-exempt status of the largest credit unions and an endeavor to have a voice in the reshaping of the GSEs to ensure equitable access to the secondary market for lenders of all sizes.

I have renewed optimism for the banking industry. I know that the folks in our communities, our local elected officials, and yes, even a lot of our regulators, realize that our hometown banks are the very core of what makes the economy work. They have seen again the importance of local lending decisions that spur the growth of small business and feed the economic engines of our states and country.

Your support is what makes all of this advocacy work.

Thanks for all of your help and efforts, and let’s keep it up.

Who do you know?

Who do you know? A legislator? Let’s work together to give our Arkansas Legislators a direct contact in the banking industry!

ABA Direct Contact Bankers are bankers who have an existing relationship with one or more members of the Legislature. If you are a personal friend of a legislator, belong to the same civic club or church, have a banking relationship with a legislator, or would simply like to get to know your legislator better, you are needed for the ABA Direct Contact Banker Program!

Please sign up as a Direct Contact Banker, and then encourage other employees in your bank who have developed relationships with their state senator to sign up as well. These personal contacts supplement the opinion of our industry and provide members of the Arkansas Legislature with information about the effects of various proposals on their constituents. This program is designed to have bankers serve as contacts for each and every member of our Legislature.

So, who do you know? For more information, call or email Ava Franks, VP/Director of Government Relations today!

May 2015 be a prosperous year for you and yours.

Ava Franks ava.franks@arkbankers.org 501.978.3603

ABA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHUCK MORGAN | CHAIRMAN

ROBERT Y. TAYLOR | CHAIRMAN-ELECT

Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff

Parkway Bank, Rogers

SEAN WILLIAMS | VICE CHAIRMAN First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne

MARK FERGUSON | TREASURER First Security Bancorp, Little Rock

DAVID BARTLETT | PAST CHAIRMAN Simmons First National Corp., Little Rock

BILL HOLMES | PRESIDENT/CEO Arkansas Bankers Association, Little Rock

ABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MARY BETH BROOKS | GROUP 3 The Bank of Fayetteville, Fayetteville

DREW HARPER | GROUP 2 Bank of the Ozarks, Little Rock

DAVY CARTER | GROUP 1 Centennial Bank, Jonesboro

First Bank, Rogers

RANDY SCOTT | GROUP 1 Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Blytheville

DAVE DICKSON | GROUP 5 Union Bank & Trust Co., Monticello

CHARLES HORTON | GROUP 1 Fidelity Bank, West Memphis

MIKE SMITH | GROUP 5 McGehee Bank, McGehee

ELIZABETH FARRIS | GROUP 4 Regions Bank, Hot Springs

J. MICHAEL JONES | GROUP 5 Merchants & Farmers Bank, Dumas

SUSIE SMITH | GROUP 2 Simmons Bank, Little Rock

CURTIS GENTRY | GROUP 1 First National Bank of Eastern AR, Forrest City

CRAIG MOBLEY | GROUP 4 First Financial Bank of El Dorado, El Dorado

JIM TAYLOR | GROUP 3 First Security Bancorp, Fayetteville

GARY GOLDEN | GROUP 4 First State Bank of DeQueen, DeQueen

WILSON MOORE | GROUP 2 Bank of America, Little Rock

STANHOPE WILKINSON | GROUP 3 Farmers Bank & Trust, Greenwood

JON HARRELL | GROUP 3

CATHERINE OWEN | GROUP 2 Eagle Bank, Little Rock

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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EMERGING LEADERS UPDATE As 2014 comes to a close and I look back on what took place in my life over the past year, one of my fondest memories is my time at the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

Tennessee, and Florida. We still keep in contact and I know these men will be lifelong friends of mine. The information that I learned and the friendships that I made are something I will always remember when I look at my diploma.

For the past three years, I have spent two weeks a year on LSU’s campus listening to professors, bankers, consultants, and examiners from across the country discuss numerous banking topics and how to navigate through our everchanging profession.

I would encourage every young banker to ask their supervisor about attending a graduate school of banking in the future. To help your bank with the costs, the Arkansas Bankers Association has scholarships available to several schools: LSU, SWGSB, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Stonier. To learn more about the scholarships you can contact the ABA office or visit their website, www.arkbankers.org.

I have also been able to meet and network with my classmates from all over the United States and Mexico. I was fortunate to have three great roommates, one each from Arkansas,

ELS PRESIDENT DANIEL ROBINSON

Community President of Northeast Arkansas Simmons Bank Jonesboro

Emerging Leaders Section Council at the January 9 meeting: Back row: Matt LaForce, First Security Bank, Searcy; John Anderson, Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff; Hunter Norton, First Security Bank, Fayetteville; Daniel Robinson, Simmons Bank, Jonesboro; Trey Clark, First Financial Bank, El Dorado; Brittany Thompson Little, Today’s Bank, Fayetteville; and Eduardo Abril, First State Bank of DeQueen, DeQueen Front row: Andy Horton, Fidelity National Bank, Marion; Brooke Moreton, Firstar Bank, Fort Smith; Ashley O’Brien East, Heartland Bank, Little Rock; Trent Brown, Simmons Bank, Jonesboro; Kevin Thompson, Centennial Bank, Fayetteville; and Blake Fletcher, Arvest Bank, Little Rock.

Not pictured: Camron Hames.

ABA EMERGING LEADERS SECTION COUNCIL Simmons Bank, Jonesboro

DANIEL ROBINSON | PRESIDENT

KEVIN THOMPSON | VICE PRESIDENT Centennial Bank, Fayetteville

BLAKE FLETCHER | SEC./TREAS.

EDUARDO ABRIL | GROUP 4 First State Bank of DeQueen, DeQueen

ASHLEY O’BRIEN EAST | GROUP 2

BRITTANY THOMPSON LITTLE | GROUP 3

Heartland Bank, Little Rock

Today’s Bank, Fayetteville

JOHN ANDERSON | GROUP 5 Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff

CAMRON HAMES | GROUP 2 First Community Bank, Batesville

Firstar Bank, Fort Smith

TRENT BROWN | GROUP 1 Simmons Bank, Jonesboro

ANDY HORTON | GROUP 1 Fidelity National Bank, Marion

HUNTER NORTON | GROUP 3 First Security Bank, Fayetteville

TREY CLARK | GROUP 4 First Financial Bank, El Dorado

MATT LAFORCE | GROUP 2 First Security Bank, Searcy

Arvest Bank, Little Rock

BROOKE MORETON | GROUP 3

WHAT IS THE EMERGING LEADERS SECTION? The Emerging Leaders Section (ELS) was organized by the Arkansas Bankers Association Board of Directors to provide information concerning educational opportunities available for its members. The ELS was established to provide leadership training for young bankers, to enhance banking careers, offer its members the opportunity to learn, network, and be productive members of the banking profession.

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015 2015

Provide you with face-to-face interaction with an expert instructor!

FEBRUARY 2015

10 | IRA Basics

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: New Account Representatives, Certificate of Deposit Personnel, Savings Counselors, Accountholder Service Representatives and Investment and Trust Personnel

10 | 2015 Call Report Update

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Anyone who is responsible for the preparation, verification or certification of the Call Reports, Operations Officers, CEOs, CFOs and Internal Auditors

18 | The Risk Rating Process &

Problem Asset Administration

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Chief Credit Officers, Senior Loan Officers, Loan Officers, Credit Analysts, Loan Administrators, Loan Review Officers, Special Asset Officers and Loan Workout Professional

19 | ALLL: What Works and

What Does Not

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Chief Financial Officers, Senior Loan Officers, Loan Officers, Chief Credit Officers, Loan Review Officers and anyone who is responsible for their institution’s ALLL

24 | Marketing/Business

Development Negotiation

Skills Building for the Banker Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock

Who Should Attend: Commercial Lenders, Relationship Managers, Branch Managers, Private Bankers, and Business Development Officers

25 | Commercial Real Estate

Lending in Today’s Economy

Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Commercial Lenders, Credit Analysts, Loan Documentation Specialists, Branch Managers, Private Bankers, and Business Development Officers

MARCH 2015

3–4 | Training the Bank Trainer Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock

Who Should Attend: Bank Supervisors, Branch Managers, Trainers, and Those responsible for the bank’s training efforts

24 | Retail Banking Conference

APRIL 2015

8–9 | Agri Lending Conference Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock

Who Should Attend: Agri Lending Officers

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: CEOs, CFOs, Presidents, Senior Executives & Management responsible for retail banking growth and profitability related to innovative product solutions

26–27 | Security Workshop

13-17 | Commercial Lending

School

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Bankers with a minimum of one year experience in commercial lending or credit administration in a bank, or five years of banking experience, Bankers who have successfully completed courses in commercial lending, analyzing financial statements, economics, or equivalent coursework, or demonstrated knowledge.

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

Embassy Suites/Hot Springs Convention Center Who Should Attend: Security Officers, Cash Management Officers, Bank Legal Counsel, Operations Managers, Chief Information Officers, and Branch Managers

21 | BSA/AML Hot Topics

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: BSA Officers and BSA Personnel

21–22 | Supervisor Boot Camp

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Supervisors, Branch Managers, Assistant Managers, Department Heads, Human Resources Managers, Team Leaders, Lead Customer Service Representatives or other employees with supervisory responsibilities

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | LIVE EVENTS

ABA Live Events...

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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WASHINGTON UPDATE Building Momentum for the Year Ahead

After a year of persistent, targeted advocacy by bankers, the final days of the 113th Congress came to a close with some modest yet strategically important victories for our industry.

Just days after AmBA’s Government Relations Council Administrative Committee arrived in town to hammer out key priorities for 2015, lawmakers passed long-sought legislation that raises the asset threshold for small bank holding companies eligible for regulatory relief from $500 million to $1 billion. The small bank holding company relief bill — which for the first time applies to S&L holding companies, too — will make it easier for community banks and thrifts to issue debt and raise the capital needed to increase lending to local economies.

Congress also passed a spending bill that included a repeal of a Dodd-Frank Act ruling related to derivatives trading. That represents the first successful legislation to revisit a DoddFrank provision that went too far and that even regulators admitted was unworkable.

Together, the bills provide regulatory relief to banks small and large. But they were just two of a host of regulatory relief measures that AmBA and the state banking associations pursued this year.

While the other measures didn’t cross the finish line, they advanced far enough — some even passing the full House — to position them well for action in the 114th Congress.

These include bills that would: deem mortgage loans held in portfolio “qualified mortgages;” clarify the CFPB’s points-and-fees test; provide a way for banks in rural areas to appeal the CFPB’s “rural” designation; establish an independent ombudsman for exam appeals; and eliminate annual privacy notice requirements for banks that haven’t changed their privacy practices.

Passing these bills early in the new Congress will be one of ABA’s top priorities in 2015. That was a loud-and-clear conclusion of the GRC Administrative Committee, which spent hours discussing the issues of greatest importance to banks. The committee members, who represent every state and institutions of all sizes and charters, agreed that the issues fall into a handful of strategic categories: Level Playing Field/Charter Choice. Citing the outdated tax advantages and mission

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

creep of credit unions and the Farm Credit System, the committee recommended holding these institutions’ feet to the fire. It also recommended that AmBA pursue charter flexibility and capital options for savings institutions — while continuing efforts to fix the unfair impact Basel III capital rules and other rules have on Sub S banks.

Impediments to Serving Customers.

Bankers reiterated that overzealous regulation and costly compliance hurts consumers by inhibiting banks’ ability to meet their needs.

Mortgage rules, Bank Secrecy Act reporting and complex capital requirements are just a few examples of regulations in need of simplification.

Payments System. We must ensure that all participants — banks and nonbanks alike —abide by the same rules in order to protect consumers and discourage risk to the system.

Cybersecurity and Data Breaches. The committee stressed that those responsible for a breach must be held liable for its costs. The members also stressed the importance of all parties sharing the same notification and data security standards as banks.

More Appropriate Regulation. Given the heavy cost that ill-fitting regulation places on financial institutions — traditional community banks in particular — the group agreed that we need a new model for bank regulation. Specifically, rules should be fair and efficient, tailored to an institution’s risk and business model and arbitrary asset thresholds should be removed.

The potential impact that each of these areas has on our industry’s competitive future is enormous.

By working with AmBA and fellow bankers to distill the many challenges facing banks into those of greatest strategic importance, the GRC has helped create a blueprint for engagement in 2015.

It’s a road map we will use in our advocacy efforts next year — as we build upon the advances made in the 113th Congress.

GOV. FRANK KEATING President & CEO American Bankers Association

Provide the option of training as many employees as you wish for one price, all from the convenient location of your home institution!

Marketing & Advertising Compliance: The First UDAAP Hotspot January 29, 2015 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Advanced Financial Statement Analysis February 10, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Hot Technology and Security Concerns February 18, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Common Mistakes in Mergers and Acquisitions February 11, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Designing a Compliant ALLL Reserve Methodology February 19, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Success By the Numbers: Eight Keys To Teller Excellence February 11, 2015 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Seven Habits for Success at Supervising February 19, 2015 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The Fundamentals of Loan Pricing: Part II February 03, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.

Forming and Using the Bank Holding Company To Create Value February 11, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Commercial Real Estate Cash Flow: Part II February 24, 2015 8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Excel Explained: Internal Control February 04, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Right of Setoff February 12, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Commercial Real Estate Appraisals: Part II February 24, 2015 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Anatomy of An IT Examination February 04, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

BSA Series: Opening Accounts for Marijuana-Related Business February 13, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Enterprise Risk and the ALCO Process: Part II February 24, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Basic Cash Flow Analysis February 17, 2015 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Keys To Understanding Personal and Global Cash Flow: Part II February 24, 2015 1:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

C & I Lending in Today’s Competitive Market: Part I January 30, 2015 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Reviewing Collateral Files, Loan Doc: Part III February 02, 2015 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Health Savings Accounts February 05, 2015 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Information Security 101 for Managers: Mastering the Basics February 05, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Opening Accounts for Nonresident Aliens: New Rules February 06, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

C & I Lending in Today’s Competitive Market: Part II February 06, 2015 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Developing Your Outsourced Third Party Management Program February 06, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Leading the Prospecting Effort February 09, 2015 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Commercial Real Estate Appraisals: Part I February 17, 2015 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Commercial Real Estate Cash Flow: Part I February 17, 2015 8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Enterprise Risk and the ALCO Process: Part I February 17, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Understanding the New Integrated Disclosure Rules February 17, 2015 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Keys To Understanding Personal and Global Cash Flow: Part I February 17, 2015 1:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

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

Five Ways To Improve the Value of Your Organization February 25, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Capital Planning in the Current Environment February 25, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

ALCO Fundamentals February 26, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

EMV: What Do Hackers Know and Why Should You Care?

February 26, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | WEBINARS

ABA Webinars...

Legal Liabilities When Check Fraud Occurs February 26, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

9

POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE With Republicans In Charge, Expect a ‘Narrow’ Government 2014 was a historic year for Arkansas politics, but what will it mean in 2015 for public policy?

leader at the helm. As of press time, a vacancy remains in the securities commissioner post.

Through a larger lens, it will mean a more conservative and business-like approach to government. Arkansas voters sent a clear signal to Little Rock and Washington, D.C. that it wanted Republican rule. Arkansans elected near supermajorities in both chambers of the state Legislature and national voters sent solid majorities to Congress. Translation: a mandate exists for the GOP to push for smaller state and federal government, fewer restrictions and regulations on businesses, and a fiscal discipline towards programs and agencies.

There aren’t a ton of banking reforms to be pondered by the state Legislature. Other than implementing a new federal law allowing banks to offer prize-linked savings (PLS) accounts, there are no cataclysmic efforts coming.

These tenets were part of the Republican mantra and the Grand Old Party’s candidates campaigned on this platform. Voters rewarded them with victories and in 2015 there should be complete justification for many moves and choices aimed at fulfilling those campaign promises.

Still, governing is about compromise and Republicans won’t get their way on every push. Quite frankly with their larger numbers, Republicans are no longer a monolithic political party (if they ever were). There is a diversity of thought among members ranging from ultraconservative to libertarian to fiscally conservative to socially liberal, and this spectrum will display itself in a few intra-party squabbles involving public policy.

Don’t look for big initiatives at the state or federal level.

New Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the GOP-controlled legislature will govern from the center-right. His tax cut plan for the middle-class — the centerpiece of Hutchinson’s tax reform agenda — will be phased in and modest in its impact, much like Gov. Mike Beebe’s removal of the sales tax on groceries. It will make a difference, but it may not be felt immediately in the pocketbook like lower gas prices hit consumers.

From a financial regulatory perspective, there should be a pro-business shift in state policy.

Hutchinson is keeping the well-respected Candace Franks in her role as banking commissioner. He will install former State Rep. Allen Kerr as insurance commissioner, a move that will place an experienced insurance business

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

GUEST COLUMNIST ROBY BROCK

At the federal level, the politics become more intriguing. Arkansas will be well-represented in the U.S. House with newly-elected Second District Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock.

Hill, a well-known banker, brings plenty of knowledge and practical experience to his seat in Congress and his appointment to the House Financial Services committee. He knows his way around the maze of federal government due to his previous service in the Bush I White House, where he served as an economic advisor and did a stint at the U.S. Treasury.

In a post-election meet-and-greet in the district, Hill offered insight on how he expects the new Congress to approach debate on big issues. In short, don’t expect a “go big or go home” strategy.

He says Congress would be wiser to “go narrow” versus “comprehensive.”

“Somebody said, ‘I want to ban the word ‘comprehensive’ from the lexicon up there in Congress.’ Because, you know, it’s just hard to get consensus around these enormous pieces of legislation,” Hill said. “They’re too big. They’re too complex. They’re not read. They’re not well understood. They’re being drafted by people who don’t have a lot of experience, frankly, in the area.

And so by going narrow, I think you can tackle some things.”

An example Hill gave would be loosening credit for homebuyers, which were restricted by the Dodd-Frank legislation.

I think Hill is on the right track. Targeted, selective changes to enact or repeal statutes have a greater chance of passage, and I sense there is a greater appetite from the public for a measured approach to governing as opposed to radical swings in either direction.

So despite “wide” margins of victory last November, a “narrow” approach to governing may be the blueprint for Republican majorities to remain in power for years to come.

Roby Brock is the Editor-in-Chief of Talk Business & Politics, an Arkansas-based multimedia news organization.

Read news or sign up for daily newsletters at TalkBusiness.net.

Arkansas

Bank Security & Fraud Outreach

Building a Local Network to Reduce Fraud The Arkansas Bank Security & Fraud Outreach service is an investigative and fraud sharing information network designed to help Arkansas Bank Security Officers detect, discuss, and hopefully prevent, financial fraud. This service is a free networking opportunity for Arkansas bankers who would like to connect with colleagues within the industry in an effort to identify, prosecute and reduce fraud losses.

The Arkansas Bank Security & Fraud Outreach service is part of 3VR CrimeDex, which is used by over 2,500 members including law enforcement agencies, banks, and retailers. The service provides a platform to share information and collaborate to reduce crime and fraud in our communities and industry.

If you would like to be part of this group, please follow the instructions below: 1. Go to www.crimedex.com 2. Click the “Join Now” button 3. Complete the sign-up form: Click the radio button for “Group” Type “Arkansas” in the “Tybe to begin search” box Highlight “Arkansas Bank Security & Fraud Outreach” Click “Select Group,” and then click “Next” 4. After your application is approved, a confirmation will be sent to you via email. This may take a day or two as all members are individually verified.

If you are already a CrimeDex member, but not in the Arkansas Bank Security & Fraud Outreach group, send an email to matthew.gill@legacyar.com and you will be invited into the group portal.

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

11

LEGISLATION & REGULATION Political Action Committees I want to start this year off with a little refresher on facts and rules to which you may not be aware, or may have forgotten.

As you all know, running for office is extremely costly. Constituents and political action committees (PACs) open their checkbooks to ensure their political candidate makes it into office and will consider their views before casting a vote. In the Arkansas races, PACs spent more than three-quarters of a million dollars on state Senate and House races alone, according to Arkansas Business.

Nationally, BankPAC, ABA’s federal associate PAC, contributed over three million dollars as of November 6. Out of the eleven new members of the Senate, BankPAC contributed to ten of those candidates. Thirty-five of the forty newly elected House members were recipients of BankPAC contributions. BankPAC contributes to carefully chosen candidates with pro-bank platforms or those with financial industry experience, such as the case with Congressman-elect French Hill.

Because of the Arkansas Constitutional Amendment stemming from the passage of Issue 3, corporations may not contribute to

candidates. Personal contributions only are acceptable. However, I will pay careful attention to any proposed amendments or rules that pass this session and let you know if a change back to re-allow corporate contributions is on the horizon. As of press time, a shell bill regarding Issue 3 has been filed, so there may be a possibility for a change of that nature, although that change would not be swift. If you are so moved, you may contact your state representative to discuss that matter.

VP / DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AVA FRANKS

Keep in mind that corporations may continue to contribute to ABA PAC. I hope you had the happiest of New Years and are ready for the next session. If you are interested in contacting your state representative during session but do not know where to begin, reach out to me and I will help facilitate that communication. I will be glad to provide talking points, introductions, and whatever else will assist you in reaching your government relations goals. ava.franks@arkbankers.org 501.378.3606 office 501.920.3963 cell

We’re kicking off the new year with logo! a new ABA PAC

2014 ABA Government

relAtions

summit

MARCH 24–26 LINKING PRINCIPLES TO POLICY

Visit aba.com/Summit 12

The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

WAsHinGton, DC

Representative Michael John Gray, District 47, is greeted by Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne.

ABA President & CEO Bill Holmes meets Representative Justin Gonzales, District 19, during the ABA’s Legislative Luncheon on December 11, 2014.

ABA Director of Government Relations Ava Franks (right) greets Representatives Rick Beck, District 65, and Mary Bentley, District 73.

Larry Wilson, First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Jacksonville, chats with Jack Ladyman, District 59, over lunch.

Representative Trevor Drown, District 68, is greeted by ABA EVP/COO Aaron Gamewell.

ABA Hosts Legislative Luncheon The ABA hosted a Legislative Luncheon on December 11, while the lawmakers were in Little Rock for a week-long orientation session.

The event gave legislators the chance to meet ABA staff and bankers, and allowed incoming lawmakers to forge new connections within the banking industry.

Representative Charlie Collins, District 84, sits down with Susie Smith, Simmons Bank, Little Rock.

Arkansas legislators took a break from their week-long orientation for an ABA-hosted luncheon.

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

13

The State of the Agricultural

Economy

The state of the agricultural economy can be best described as cautiously optimistic.

Let’s explore some of the perspectives and trends occurring based upon my travel and interaction with thought leaders in the U.S. and abroad.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. David Kohl is the president of AgriVisions, LLC, a consulting firm providing cutting-edge programs to leading ag organizations worldwide.

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The slowdown of the emerging nations’ economies is in full force. The emerging nations include the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and KIMT nations (South Korea, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey). The average GDP growth rate for these nations in recent years averaged above 9 percent, but it is now well under 4 percent. China, a large importer of food, fiber, and fuel, has recently added stimulus to boost its economy. This factor combined with strong growing conditions in many agricultural production regions of the world has suppressed grain prices and prices of many other commodities such as oil, steel and copper.

The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

What will be the duration of the suppressed prices? Some are indicating that this could be a two- to five-year reset, particularly as the Federal Reserve unwinds stimulus and possibly raises interest rates, which will strengthen the dollar, inhibiting export demand. Proactive producers in this sector are making adjustments to generate a profit by shedding marginal assets and renegotiating costs of land rent and inputs.

The livestock sector is hot. Many experts feel that this trend could last at least two years and possibly up to five years unless there is an unusual negative “black swan” event. Profits are generated by high prices early in the cycle; however, reduced costs will be a driver of profit later in the livestock cycle. A word of caution is that the worst decisions are usually made in the best economic times.

The U.S. economy is the strongest in the world. This bodes very well for people in the value-added, organic, local, and natural

foods markets. The key to long-term sustainability of the U.S. economy will be the housing sector, which represents one in seven jobs in the U.S. economy. The reduced oil and energy prices have been a temporary boost to the economy along with factory production being nearly at full capacity.

Expect interest rates to rise in mid-2015 particularly if the unemployment rate continues to decline and U.S GDP growth is above 3 percent. The key will be inflation rising above 2 percent, which could result in a faster rise in interest rates. Europe is a cloud on the economic horizon, since it is moving toward recession. Also, emerging nations that are very dependent on commodities are slowing down and possibly going into recession, which could eventually create headwinds to the U.S. economy.

expenses related to lower oil prices. If suppressed grain prices continue, expect land values and cash rents to decline by 5 percent to 10 percent. This figure could be higher on marginally productive soils, where infrastructure issues concerning water result in marginal productivity and efficiency. Older producers coming off record high profitable years may decide to discontinue farming or possibly sell their farms if the duration of lower commodity prices continues. With 80 percent of all farm expenses directly or indirectly connected to oil price, 2015 could be the

year some farm expenses start to decline.

Only time will tell the extent and length of the oil price decline.

Finally, volatility of international political, military, economic, and trade risk will be the norm, placing a premium on planning, execution and monitoring. Building your business model for both resiliency and agility will help weather surprise economic events. It is important to be resilient so that one can be not only strong financially and management wise, but also agile to proactively capitalize on opportunities.

Also, some other effects of the economy on the agriculture industry include possible changes in land values, increasing producer retirements, and lower farm

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.

Sponsored by: Arkansas Bankers Association

gsb.org GSB_ScholarshipAd_Ark_1014.indd 1

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January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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The Education Issue Graduate Schools of Banking The ABA, and other state bankers associations, have teamed up with universities across the country to sponsor Graduate School of Banking programs. These programs provide career bankers with the skills needed to succeed in the ever-changing world of banking.

The following regional and national banking schools provide an opportunity for advanced study and research in bank management, economics, and monetary issues.

Graduate School of Banking at Colorado Location: Boulder, Colorado Contact:

Josie Bunch, Director of Marketing 800.272.5138 josie@gsbcolorado.org

Website: www.gsbcolorado.org The Graduate School of Banking at Colorado is America’s Premier Community Banking School, providing banking professionals with programming to prepare the next generation of communitybank leaders for success.

GSBC will host its 65th Annual School Session on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder July 12-24, 2015 and hosts a variety of continuing education programs each year. For more information, visit www.GSBColorado.org.

Graduate School of Banking at LSU Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Contact:

Don L. Woodland, Executive Vice President 225.766.8595 donw@gsblsu.org

Website: www.gsblsu.org Completion of the GSB program at LSU has become a standard prerequisite to professional advancement in many banks.

Bank officers at multi-billion dollar institutions, as well as small community bankers, find that the curriculum addresses their educational needs. The course of study spans 25 months, with three two-week resident sessions. During these resident sessions, bankers/students receive more than 200 hours of classroom instruction. Organized evening study, written examinations and bank study projects between resident sessions are an integral part of the school’s comprehensive program.

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin Location: Madison, Wisconsin Contact:

Kathleen Kienitz, AVP, Marketing & Banker Relations 800.755.6440 kkienitz@gsb.org

Website: www.gsb.org Since 1945, the GSB at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been widely recognized as being the best, and most progressive, banking school in the country. Using feedback from its alumni, Banker Advisory Board, and sponsoring state bankers associations, GSB updates program offerings to meet current professional development needs. GSB offers a Graduate School of Banking, Human Resource Management School, Bank Technology Management School, Bank Technology Security School, Financial Managers School and the GSB Online Seminar Series.

SW Graduate School of Banking Location: Dallas, Texas Contact:

S. Scott MacDonald, Ph.D., President & CEO 214.768.2991 scott@swgsb.org

Website: www.swgsb.org The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at the renowned Cox School of Business at SMU is the financial services industry’s best source for education, training and information – designed specifically for bank officers tapped for leadership roles. It is considered by many to be the nation’s top educational source for commercial and consumer lenders, loan and operations officers, bank regulators, as well as marketing and management professionals. SWGSB is an elite leadership development program: rigorous, challenging and life changing.

Stonier Graduate School of Banking Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Contact:

Perette Bonner, Stonier Program Director 1.800.BANKERS pbonner@aba.com

Website: www.abastonier.com Stonier is the nation’s original graduate banking school — the school was founded in 1935 by Dr. Harold Stonier, a renowned educator and American Bankers Association executive, who was widely respected for his innovation and leadership. Stonier attracts students from across the nation and from over 20 international countries. In partnership with the Wharton School, Stonier has an even stronger focus on preparing our industry’s future leaders, and students graduate with both a Stonier Diploma and Wharton Leadership Certificate. In 2015, Stonier is celebrating 80 years of excellence in banking education.

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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The Education Issue Get a Head Start with a GSB Scholarship Below is a list of GSB scholarships available for the 2015 session. For more information and application instructions, log on to our website, www.arkbankers.org.

GSBC Future Leaders Scholarship Graduate School of Banking at Colorado - Boulder, CO Application Deadline: March 1, 2015 Total Value: $1,325 per year for up to three consecutive years Scholarship Requirements: The GSBC Future Leaders Scholarship is offered through GSBC’s co-sponsoring state banker associations, and is typically awarded to one banker per state, per calendar year. Recipients receive $1,325 per year for three consecutive years, and must enter as a first-year student. Second year students do not qualify for the Future Leaders Scholarship. The 2015 session will be held July 12 – 14.

Human Resources Management School Scholarship Graduate School of Banking at Wisconsin - Madison, WI Application Deadline: February 6, 2015 Total Value: $925 Scholarship Requirements: This one-week school, designed specifically for HR professionals in the financial industry, addresses today’s most critical HR issues. This school provides the foundation for new or veteran human resource professionals to tie together the important issues in human resource management with a bottom-line understanding about the business of banking. The 2015 session will be held April 19 – 24.

Prochnow Educational Foundation & Arkansas Bankers Association Scholarship Graduate School of Banking at Wisconsin - Madison, WI Application Deadline: April 17, 2015 Total Value: $1,300 for three years Scholarship Requirements: GSB at Wisconsin’s purpose is to meet the growing need for bank managers and others working in the financial services industry to acquire a broad knowledge and understanding of the major bank functions and their interrelationships and to develop the skills required to lead and manage effectively in today’s and tomorrow’s challenging banking environment. The program curriculum reflects the contemporary trends affecting the financial services industry. Core courses address broad areas of finance, marketing, management, and the environment in which banks operate. The 2015 session will be held August 2 – 14.

! ** ** 2 Available

SWGSB Millenium Scholarship Southwest Graduate School of Banking Foundation - Dallas, TX Application Deadline: March 31, 2015 Total Value: $1,500 per year for up to three years Scholarship Requirements: This scholarship is applied toward the first-year (new students) tuition for the School. In addition, the scholarship may be awarded the second and third year, as long as the scholarship recipient remains in the top 10% of the class. The scholarship must be used for the 2015 Session of the SW Graduate School of Banking, which will be held May 25 – June 5.

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

Why Attend GSB? Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University Scholarship Graduate School of Banking at LSU - Baton Rouge, LA Application Deadline: March 31, 2015 Total Value: $3,845 for first year only Scholarship Requirements: For over a half century, the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University has been a major provider of advanced financial education in the U.S., with over 15,000 executives successfully completing the GSB program. The School’s purpose is to fill the need for graduate level study by bank officers and others meeting admission requirements leading toward a broader knowledge and understanding of major banking functions. Those wishing to apply for this year’s LSU tuition scholarship should submit their scholarship application to Kami Coleman at the Arkansas Bankers Association, which will make the final selection. The 2015 session will be held May 24 – June 5.

American Bankers Association & Arkansas Bankers Association Scholarship

ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking - Pennsylvania Application Deadline: February 13, 2015 Total Value: $1,230 (member) per year for three years or $1,565 (non-member) per year for three years Scholarship Requirements: Stonier Graduate School of Banking has provided executive education to more than 20,000 senior-level bankers and regulators, including some of the most respected banking executives in the U.S. Stonier’s executive education program develops the skills for effectively recognizing and handling high-level management issues, through the industry’s most thorough and rigorous curriculum, while preserving the integrity of how the business of banking is conducted. The 2015 session will be held June 4 – 11.

“Although I am just getting started, the greatest value of the GSB program thus far has been interacting with other bankers throughout the country, discussing real world examples of problems we face every day in the banking industry.”

John Anderson

Assistant Vice President of Commercial Loans Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff 2014 Graduate School of Banking at LSU Scholarship Winner

“There has been tremendous value in attending a Graduate School of Banking. The two most prominent to me have to be the contacts made and well-rounded knowledge.

The friends you make become great business contacts for you in the future to discuss banking issues with. I work in the Accounting department for our bank, and SWGSB has helped to give me a better understanding of the whole bank and what others within the bank do.”

Christy Malahy

Assistant Vice President, Accounting Farmers & Merchants Bank, Stuttgart

2014 SWGSB Millennium Scholarship Winner

“The best part of the GSB program are the relationships that you build. The courses are very challenging, but the relationships are priceless.

Everyone comes together and helps one another — throughout the year we are able to bounce questions off of each other and just reach out to one another — I look forward to coming back together in July and catching up with everyone.”

Tonya Umberson

Branch Manager / Marketing Officer / Vice President Arvest Bank, Lincoln

2014 Future Leaders Scholarship Winner January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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The Education Issue Professional Development in Action...

We asked Arkansas bankers for feedback on ABA’s Professional Development events, and here’s what they said...

Brett Graham

Matthew Gill

VP – Loan Officer Eagle Bank Heber Springs

VP – Compliance/BSA/ Bank Security Legacy National Bank Springdale

Brad Yaney

SVP – Portfolio Assessment and Credit Training Simmons Bank Little Rock

How many ABA Professional Development events have you attended? What types of events?

BG: Probably around 6 - 8 per year…

I have been to compliance, BSA, and lending-related events.

MG: I can’t even begin to count how many events I have been to. I have been to security conferences, BSA conferences, compliance conferences, Basic Lending School, and Young Bankers/Emerging Leaders Conferences.

Which Professional Development event has been most beneficial to you professionally?

BG: The multi-day compliance schools… They cover a wide array of topics that we can apply to multiple areas of the bank.

MG: Being involved with the Young Bankers/Emerging Leaders has been most beneficial to me both personally and professionally. I have met many bankers from across the state that I otherwise would have never met. I still keep in contact with many of these to bounce ideas off of, and to see how other banks handle certain scenarios. I have met people that work for both really small banks and some of the largest banks in the state. Not all banks do things the same way. It is nice to be able to call someone and get a different perspective.

BY: The most recent Allowance for Loan and Lease Loss event I attended in 2014 likely provided me with the most up to date, applicable information I could take back to my bank and apply in a relative short period of time. I’ve had an opportunity to join Dr. Dominick on the panel of the Commercial Lending School on several occasions and that has also provided me with some good insight from lenders of varying experience levels.

Aside from topic-specific training, what have you taken away from these events?

BG: The ability to network with other bankers across the state… These relationships are crucial for the banking environment right now.

MG: I have made many contacts and many life-long friends from around the state.

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

BY: Over a span of 12 years, I have likely attended 10-12 events. Primarily, the events have centered on the lending function: Analyzing Financial Statements, Commercial Lending Academy, Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, etc. I have also attended the Emerging Leaders’ Conference and Day at the Capitol event several times.

BY: The interaction you have with peers at the events is very valuable. It’s a good opportunity to meet new people who work in the same industry, but more specific, it provides an opportunity to learn best practices.

How have ABA Professional Development events impacted your career?

BG: They have allowed me to be able to make informed decisions appropriate for our bank during challenging regulatory times by having the exposure to seasoned professionals and other bankers at these events.

MG: The banking world is always changing and the ABA is always looking for new and relevant topics for their events; they always strive to get the best speakers available for each topic.

BY: The events have provided me with a level of continuing education at a value which my employer considers fair.

The instructors and peers that I’ve been able to meet and become friends with have been valuable resources for many questions that have arisen over the year. These opportunities have assisted me in growing and developing within my own organization.

How have you been able to implement information garnered at ABA Professional Development events in your bank?

BG: By sharing with management what is learned and being able to apply it at our bank.

MG: Attending ABA events is a great way to learn something new or just to get a refresher course. I always come back to the bank and look at how we do things. Then I will see how the information I learned from either the

speaker or another banker can be implemented to make us a better bank.

well. It is obvious they want the banks in Arkansas to succeed but they also want the bankers to succeed. If you have an employee that shows any drive at all and you think they might go far in your organization, I highly recommend getting them involved with any ABAsponsored event.

BY: The majority of the events address real-life situations that bankers are encountering and the instructors offer practicable feedback and solutions that we can implement. If I can tell management that the new thoughts or ideas we are discussing were developed from an ABA event, I believe that adds to the credibility.

BY: Like most businesses, I’m sure most all banks are very cost conscious right now and trying to gain efficiencies. I think that the ABA offers valuable training and development courses that are easily assessable to most bankers across the state and are offered at reasonable prices when compared to other professional development opportunities.

What else should Arkansas bankers know about ABA Professional Development?

MG: It is nice to have a banking association that truly cares about not only the banks, but the bankers as

5,000+

Arkansas bankers participated in Professional Development events in 2014

...were you one of them?

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Seminars with an average overall rating of 4.7 out of 5

Most-attended Seminar:

BSA/AML Compliance Management

5

Conferences

with 77 bankers in attendance Highest-rated Seminar: Most-attended Conference:

Leadership

with 91 bankers in attendance

306

Webinars

Appraisals & Evaluations with a rating of 4.9 out of 5

Highest-rated Conference:

Technology with a rating of 5 out of 5

61

including 7 Arkansas-specific topics

94

Graduates from 5 ABA Schools

Speakers from across the country Top 3 Speakers:

Patrice Konarik with a rating of 5 out of 5

Dianne Barton

with a rating of 5 out of 5

Vin DiCara

with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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The Education Issue 2015 ABA Conferences & Schools March

July

May

Compliance School Security Workshop

Convention & Trade Show

Bank security officers are challenged each day to be aware of the perils affecting their banks, while also modifying the policies, procedures and practices to prevent losses.

The Security Workshop provides topics to address the security issues and concerns you face, the environment in which you operate, and the regulatory world in which we all live.

The ABA’s annual Convention provides bankers from across the state with the opportunity to visit with peers from across the state, forge new connection, and open a dialogue on the current issues of banking with agenda topics straight from the headlines.

The event also features a top-notch Trade Show with vendors from across the country.

March 26-27, 2015 Hot Springs

May 6-8, 2015 Little Rock

July 27-30, 2015 Little Rock

Compliance is one of the most crucial and consuming issues in the financial industry today. The Compliance School will provide the latest knowledge and preparation needed to handle compliance issues. Participants will have the opportunity to ineract with nationally-known compliance experts, as well as their peers.

August

June

April

Bank Management Seminar Agri Lending Conference

Leadership Conference

Agriculture plays a large role in the Arkansas economy, and it is undeniable that the ag industry comes with a unique set of challenges. The Agri Lending Conference provides high-quality, timely, and practical financial tools and economic information to both lenders and producers.

The Leadership Conference provides bankers with a chance to further their leadership skills, listen to motivating speakers, and network with colleagues from across the state. The ABA Emerging Leaders Council assists with the planning of this event.

April 8-9, 2015 Little Rock

June 2015 Northwest Arkansas

August 6-8, 2015 Rogers

With a line-up of timely banking topics, the Bank Management Seminar provides upper-level banking personnel the opportunity to solidify the strategy for building a strong future for their respective banks while connecting with peers.

Consumer Lending School August 2015 Little Rock

Commercial Lending School April 13-17, 2015 Little Rock

The ABA Commercial Lending School is a comprehensive learning opportunity for both novice and experienced lenders.

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

The purpose of Consumer Lending School is to provide bankers interested in the field of consumer lending with the fundamental information needed to provide effective service to consumers and perform their job responsibilities professionally.

September

Compliance Conference September 22-23, 2015 Little Rock

In the world of compliance, it’s best to stay ahead of the curve. The ABA’s annual Compliance Conference features knowledgeable speakers, input from regulatory agencies, and information about the latest changes in consumer compliance.

Basic Lending School September 2015 Little Rock

Basic Lending School is designed to provide a solid foundation and overview of lending skills and topics. This five-day event provides classroom instruction, as well as the opportunity for students to put their knowledge to work with hands-on case studies.

October

Trust Conference

October 20-21, 2015 Little Rock

The role of a hometown bank’s trust department is a unique one — from assisting with estate and retirement planning to staying current on very specific legal and ethical responsibilities. The Trust Conference brings together professionals from across the state to discuss the tools and strategies needed to best serve your customers.

IRA School

Women in Banking Conference

Whether you’re looking to gain basic knowledge of IRAs, raise your comfort level, or sharpen your skills with the most up-todate rules and regulations, the IRA School is for you.

**New in 2015!**

October 27-28, 2015 Little Rock

November

Summer 2015 Little Rock

The Women in Banking Conference is designed to empower and inspire women at all levels of the Arkansas banking industry. This conference gives women the opportunity to network, compare notes with those who have similar challenges and successes, and learn about management, leadership, industry issues and personal development.

Technology Conference November 18-19, 2015 Little Rock

What technologies need to be implemented to help your bank compete in the digital age?

The Technology Conference is structured to give Arkansas bankers an understanding of the products available today, and how to use them to both benefit customers and safeguard data.

Coming in 2015...Dates TBD

Bank Executive Symposium Date TBD Little Rock

The Bank Executive Symposium is a mustattend for all CEOs, CFOs, and others who are impacted by economic, accounting, credit, acquisition, legal, taxation, and regulatory issues. The conference features industry experts to help you stay current on the issues affecting today’s banking industry.

Trust School Summer 2015 Little Rock

The ABA Trust School is recommended for all trust department personnel a seeking to expand their knowledge. This program will provide a solid foundation of skills and topics.

For more information on these ABA events, as well as a listing of our one-day seminars, log on to www.arkbankers.org!

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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The Education Issue A Look Back at 2014...

I would describe this seminar as a breath of fresh air.

It was a great refresher of knowledge that I already had, as well as inspiration for new and exciting ideas that I now have for my branch...

I look forward to attending more Arkansas Bankers Association events in the future!

– Supervisor Boot Camp Attendee

g School Consumer Lendin August 2014

Leadership Confe rence June 2014

I have been to many seminars in the past but I have never attended one from ABA, and would really like to come back to the advanced IRA class, as well as any other classes that would benefit me and the institution I work for.

Real Estate Lend ing

Compliance Semin ar July 2014

Thank you for a wonderful experience and I will be sharing this knowledge with others.

– IRA Basics Seminar Attendee

Excellent School. I am one year into a compliance position and I came away with valuable information that will assist me with my job.

I have already referred to the manual provided, regarding a compliance question and quickly found the answer.

Thank You!

– Compliance School Attendee

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

Trust Conference October 2014

Technology Confe rence November 2014

MEMBER NEWS Heartland Foundation Contributes Almost $100,000 to Nonprofits in 2014

Arkansas State Bank Dept.

Applications Approved

Heartland Foundation, the charitable outlet of Heartland Bank, contributed $97,500 dollars to nine nonprofits in 2014. They are:

with the New York Stem Cell Foundation to create iPS stem cells for Batten disease research.

Arkansas Children’s Hospital - $50,000.

This contribution is the second of the 10year commitment to provide $500,000 as a cornerstone gift to support the Arkansas Children’s House facility. Terry and Walter Quinn of Little Rock, Heartland Bank’s majority shareholders, have also personally pledged a matching $50,000 each year for ten years, bringing the total donation to $1,000,000. The Quinn family had been active as volunteers and supporters of Arkansas Children’s Hospital for three generations.

Junior League of Little Rock - $4,000 for its Literacy Campaign Program.

Heartland serves as a book sponsor.

Children’s Protection Center - $20,000 for the Forensic Interview Program and equipment costs.

Arkansas Rice Depot - $10,000 for the Food For Kids Program.

Beyond Batten Disease Foundation $5,000 to support BBDF ’s partnership

Ronald McDonald House - $2,500 for the Ronald McDonald House Campaign.

Economics Arkansas - $2,500 for the Teacher Grant Program.

Arkansas Tech University Foundation $2,500 for Legacy Forward, the Dr. Robert Charles Brown and Jill Lestage Brown Endowment.

UALR Suicide Prevention and Campus Health Foundation - $1,000 for the Community Awareness Campaign.

The Heartland Foundation has been created by the board of directors of Heartland Bank, and employees of the bank nominated all organizations for support. For more information, contact Ashley East at 501.850.8279 or 501.749.7467.

Hampton Appointed to Banking Board Lana Hampton of Springdale, who is in her 36th year in the field of education, has been appointed to the State Banking Board.

Hampton is replacing board member Charles Smith of Fort Smith. Her appointment by Governor Mike Beebe was effective as of October 30, 2014, and her term on the board will run through December 31, 2018.

she has been responsible for ongoing, differentiated professional development for the teachers on her staff.

In addition to teaching sophomore English, Hampton taught journalism, creative writing, photojournalism and served as the adviser to nationally award-winning yearbooks and newspapers.

The statutory powers of the six-member State Banking Board include the approval of rules and regulations issued by the Bank Commissioner and the rendering of decisions on numerous bank applications.

Upon completion of a master’s degree and a reading certification, Hampton became an Instructional Facilitator. In this capacity,

Hampton fills an at-large position on the Banking Board as the appointee who represents the elderly.

Hampton’s career in education includes 25 years as a high school English teacher and 11 years as an Instructional Facilitator in a junior high school.

BRANCH BANK APPLICATION

An application filed by First Security Bank, Searcy, White County, Arkansas, to establish a branch banking facility at 4129 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas, and establishing a temporary facility to be located at 1635 Hidgon Fery Road, Suite A, Hot Springs, Garland County Arkansas, until the permanent facility is complete and open for business, has been approved. November 24, 2014.

An application filed by Centennial Bank, Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas, to establish a branch banking facility at 5801 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, has been approved.

December 17, 2014.

An application filed by Southern Bancorp Bank, Arkadelphia, Clark County, Arkansas, to establish a branch banking facility at 2212 Malvern Avenue, Suite 1, Hot Springs National Park, Garland County Arkansas, has been approved.

December 22, 2014.

An application filed by First Bank, Hampton, Calhoun County, Arkansas, to establish a branch banking facility at 1450 East Zion Road, Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, has been approved. December 30, 2014.

MAIN BANK RELOCATION APPLICATION

An application by The Bank of Rison, Rison, Arkansas, for the relocation of a main banking facility from 200 Main Street, Rison, Arkansas, to 112 Main Street, Rison, Arkansas, has been approved. December 3, 2014.

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

25

MEMBER NEWS

Hillyard Retires from Arkansas Bank Dept.

Big Daddy.

For the 30-plus years we have worked at the Arkansas State Bank Department, we know that everybody in our agency, most all Arkansas bankers, most everyone at the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and many of our locally based federal counterparts, knows who this is.

Larry Hillyard, a.k.a. Big Daddy, is one of those larger-than-life personalities who we all experience throughout our lives. We both know that we have been fortunate to work with Big Daddy at the Bank Department and to have him as our mentor and one of our closest friends.

Larry retired effective on January 9, 2015, almost 42 years after his first day at the Bank Department on January 26, 1973.

Many things separate a personality such as Larry’s from the rest of the examination staff at the department. Of course, one is his sheer size and voice that carries through an entire building commanding attention, especially if your name is mentioned when he starts speaking.

But what really separates Larry from most of the rest of us mere mortals at the department is his bigger-than-life personality. He is a guy you want to have on your side in a tight situation. And he uses this personality to push his co-workers to do the right thing, both for the department and for the banks we examine. We know several of our bankers feel the same way we do about Big Daddy.

We believe Larry’s outlook on the human race was formed early when his widowed mother was forced to raise him and his siblings by herself. He often speaks to all the examiners – and it is from his heart – of the need for us to protect the “widows and orphans” who depend on their local banks.

But beneath his big personality, Big Daddy’s true gift lurks: A pretty big brain. You see, Larry may come across as a country boy from Yell County, Arkansas, but if you are around him for a few minutes, you will realize he is a pretty sharp cookie.

What does he do at a bank that makes all of us – bankers and examiners alike – know Big Daddy is a shrewd guy?

One skill he has mastered is the ability to approach a difficult situation at work with a “detached” approach. That is, Larry can see with a clear eye what the right thing to do is in a difficult situation without attaching his personal feelings to it.

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

One of Larry’s favorite adages is that he doesn’t “have a dog in the hunt” when approaching a problem. This allows him to create personal space from other personalities at play when hard decisions have to be made. This skill is a rare thing and it has served the many individuals well in our agency who have come and gone, or stayed – especially those in upper-level management. As such, Larry has been a mentor to several Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners.

Larry has served eight Commissioners during his career at the Bank Department.

Larry has few equals when it comes to asking a banker or examiner just the right question, knowing the correct answer even before getting a response and then challenging the person if his question yields a different answer – all without backing the person “into a corner.”

Larry’s questions such as “How much money should this bank make every day?” or “Why can’t this bank make money?” or “Did you think about looking at this number in the self-exam?” would send people scrambling for answers. But this is a very effective teaching tool.

For most young examiners, one of the most intimidating parts of the job is for Big Daddy to just “show up” at your examination and pick up a self-examination report, then begin to quiz you about the ratios. Larry has an uncanny ability to see the relationships of numbers and accounts in a way that nobody – and we mean nobody – else had seen.

As a mentor, Larry always has allowed and encouraged people who wanted to do “more” to do so. But if someone asked for more responsibility, Larry made you back it up with performance, especially in difficult work situations.

A young, inexperienced examiner usually will be more nervous in Larry’s presence than that of the bank president. That’s because he encourages people to make hard decisions, and back them up with facts. And this is before the examiner presents the findings to the bankers at the conclusion of an examination.

From a professional standpoint, the Arkansas State Bank Department has been lucky to have Larry for 42 years. Just as important, however, is that from a personal standpoint, we are all lucky to call him a friend.

This article was written by Assistant Deputy Bank Commissioners Richard Buzbee and Wilks Marshall.

John Cross Celebrates 60 Years

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To Whom It May Concern: I began my 60th year with the bank today, as I was asked to join the Bank’s Board of Directors in January of 1956, and have been serving either as a Director, employee, officer or major shareholder continuously since that time.

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Miraculously, my key did fit in the bank’s door this morning!

Congratulations Mr. Cross!

Photography by Edward C. Robinson III

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Brothers Announces Retirement from Walton Family Foundation In December, veteran banker and civic leader, Rob Brothers, announced his pending retirement after five years as the Home Region Program Director at the Walton Family Foundation.

“Since his arrival at the Foundation – after more than 30 years with Arvest Bank and many other leadership positions in the community – Rob has helped steward more than $157 million in funding to organizations throughout Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta. Under his leadership, the Home Region team made significant investments in grantees to provide education options, economic development opportunities, and arts and cultural programming,” said Buddy Philpot,executive director of the Walton Family Foundation.

Brothers will step down early this year and the search for his replacement

will begin immediately.

Brothers served as a community president for Arvest Bank from January 1996 through October 2009 when he accepted the role at the Family Foundation. As bank president he managed all areas for a six community, fifteen branch commercial banking operation with 350 employees, serving over 40,000 households Prior to that Brothers worked as an executive vice president and loan manager at Arvest Bank for more than 10 years.

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January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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BANKER NEWS & MOVES MELTON NAMED ‘DIAMOND ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER’

Lori Case Melton of Arvest Bank was named the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Diamond Achievement Award winner at the organization’s annual Women in Business Awards Luncheon in December.

This award is presented to an individual with at least 25 years of professional experience who has inspired and empowered many generations of women and who has had a positive impact on those in her profession and in the community.

Melton is the vice president of business development at Arvest Bank, and also spent 13 years with Centennial Bank, which has the distinction of being the fastest-growing financial institution in Arkansas history.

The Arkansas Bank Marketing Association named Melton “Bank Marketer of the Year” in 1999 and again in 2007.

She is the only banker ever to have received the award twice.

In addition to her award, Melton received a diamondstudded pendant featuring the Conway “C.”

CENTENNIAL BANK EXPANDS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Centennial Bank has expanded its Jonesboro team with the addition of Joey

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Speir and Brock Ferguson as business development officers, according to Deana Osment, Centennial Bank’s Northeast Arkansas Division President.

“Joey and Brock are tremendous assets to our bank. They are strongly committed to going the extra mile in order to provide outstanding service for our customers,” said Osment.

Joey Speir holds a Bachelor of Science in marketing management from Arkansas State University and has over 14 years of sales and customer service experience.

He currently serves on the Jonesboro Baseball Boosters board and is a member of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and Jonesboro Young Professionals Network.

Speir and his wife, Sarah, are members of Central Baptist Church. They have four children, Weston, 10, Lily, 7, Stevie Jo, 2 and Harlie, 4 months.

Brock Ferguson has over eight years of sales and customer service experience.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and a master’s degree in business administration from Arkansas State. Ferguson is also an honor graduate of the Arkansas Bankers Association Basic Lending School.

He is a member of Jonesboro University Rotary, Northeast

The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

Arkansas Home Builders Association and JYPN legacy and social committees.

He also serves on the administrative and parent advisory boards of First United Methodist Church and the communications committee of United Way of Northeast Arkansas.

Ferguson and his wife, Kristen, have one son, Graham, 3. They are members of First United Methodist Church.

Speir and Ferguson will operate from Centennial Bank’s Northeast Arkansas headquarters at 2901 East Highland Drive in Jonesboro.

BRUECKNER JOINS ARVEST BANK IN SPRINGDALE

Arvest Bank is pleased to announce that Megan Brueckner has joined Arvest Bank in Springdale as Consumer Loan Officer at the 3950 West Sunset location.

Brueckner started her career with Arvest Bank in Siloam Springs as a financial services representative in 2009. Since then, she has worked as a mortgage call center representative and a commercial loan assistant.

“Megan joins our Springdale team with a good background in lending,” said Christy Queary, Consumer Loan Manager for Arvest Bank in Springdale. “She has strong project management skills coupled with a solid foundation in customer service. We are so happy to add her to our lending team in Springdale. ”

A Colcord, Okla., native, Brueckner graduated from Colcord High School in 2008 and earned a Bachelor of Science in organizational management from John Brown University in 2013.

She and her husband, Hause Brueckner, have a daughter, Ellie. The family attends Cross Church.

MORETON NAMED LOAN MANAGER AT ARVEST BANK, PRAIRIE GROVE

Arvest Bank is pleased to announce that Dax Moreton has been named as Loan Manager for Arvest Bank in Prairie Grove.

He replaces Steve Purdy, who is retiring in January after serving as loan manager in Prairie Grove for 19 years.

Moreton has worked as a commercial loan officer for Arvest Bank in Prairie Grove for the past 14 years. During the past year he has worked from the Arvest Bank branch in Lincoln. He will continue to manage his existing commercial loan portfolio as he assumes his new duties.

“Dax is a strong asset for Arvest Bank and the local community,” said Mike Willard, president of Arvest Bank in Prairie Grove. “His banking experience is topnotch and he understands what our customers need from their banking partner.”

Moreton graduated from Lincoln School and earned his Bachelor of Science in agriculture business in 2000 while he played baseball for Arkansas Tech University.

He is a 2009 graduate of

Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

He is active in the community and currently serves as the vice president of the Lincoln School Board, the Board of Directors for the Lincoln Summer Ball Program, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the Ganderville Cemetery.

He and his wife, Christina Moreton, have a daughter, Brinkley. The family operates a small farming operation of commercial beef cows and attends the Summers Missionary Baptist Church.

SAUNDERS, HENRY PROMOTED AT BANK DEPARTMENT

Michael Saunders, who has been employed at the Bank Department for almost 23 years, has been promoted to fill the assistant deputy commissioner’s position opened by the retirement of Larry Hillyard.

Saunders, currently a certified bank examination manager, will assume the position effective on January 12, 2015. Also on that day, Bob Henry, a certified bank examination manager assigned to special projects at the Bank Department, will assume Saunders’ current position as supervisor of one of two commercial examination groups based in Little Rock.

As one of four assistant deputy commissioners, Saunders will oversee the commercial examination group assigned to northwest Arkansas, concentrating in

particular on monitoring the progress of banks in the area that are under enforcement action or that are beginning to exhibit indications of problems.

One of the responsibilities of the Department’s assistant deputy commissioners is to work closely with the executive management and board of directors of banks operating under enforcement actions.

Saunders initially was hired by the Bank Department in October 1990 as a commercial examiner.

He subsequently moved to the Department’s consumer compliance/ trust examination group and progressed to become a commissioned senior examiner.

In February 1998, Saunders accepted a position as a Consumer Affairs examiner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, but he returned to the Bank Department in June 1999 and was promoted to commercial group supervisor in October 2000.

Saunders received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia in 1989. He is a 1998 graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

In 2013, Saunders earned his credential as a Certified Fraud Examiner from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Bob Henry was hired by the Bank Department as a commercial examiner in

May 1992 and advanced to become a commissioned senior examiner. Henry was promoted to bank examination manager in February 2013 and has concentrated in this position on special projects, including assisting the commercial groups on examinations of large and “problem” banks.

Henry received a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1991 at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. His emphasis was in finance and accounting.

In 2012, Henry earned his credential as a Certified Fraud Examiner from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

MASSANELLI JOINS SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION AS EVP OF ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Simmons First National Corporation recently announced the addition of Stephen C. Massanelli as Executive Vice President of Organizational Development according to George A. Makris Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the addition of Steve Massanelli to the executive team at Simmons First National Corporation.

He brings many years of relevant experience in finance and corporate management including corporate performance strategy and merger integration processes.

Additionally, he will have oversight responsibility for human resources, training and corporate facilities.

Steve’s leadership skills and strategic direction will play a key role in recruiting, retaining and providing professional development to our associates as we continue to grow and expand our footprint,” stated Makris.

Massanelli most recently served as CFO & Principal of Treadstone Partners, LLC, a Dallas-based private investment firm. Prior to joining Treadstone in 2011, he held the position of Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Zale Corporation (NYSE: ZLC). At various times during his 13 years with Zale Corporation he had responsibility for treasury/ finance, real estate, IT, credit, credit insurance and risk management functions.

Massanelli, a Pine Bluff native, began his financial career with Simmons First National Bank, as Assistant Vice President of Correspondent Banking where he maintained relationships with commercial banks located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi. Prior to joining Zale Corporation, Massanelli gained 20 years of financial experience in Arkansas and Texas.

Massanelli is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing and Economics.

He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma National Commercial Lending School and has completed the American Bankers Association Institute for Financial Education banking school.

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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BANKER NEWS & MOVES FORD NAMED ARVEST BANK BRANCH MANAGER IN SPRINGDALE

Arvest Bank is pleased to announce that Megan Ford has been named Branch Manager for the Walmart Supercenter location of Arvest Bank in Springdale.

Ford has worked for Arvest Bank for the past four years, starting as a time teller in Centerton. She later worked as a financial services representative in Centerton and then assistant branch manager in Springdale.

“Megan brings several years of banking experience to her new role,” said Justin Luebker, regional in-store

administrator for Arvest Bank. “This is an exciting opportunity for her and we look forward to her valuable addition to our team.”

Ford graduated from Rogers High School in 2007 and earned her Bachelor of Science in organizational management from John Brown University in 2013.

She and her husband, Justin Ford, attend First Baptist Church in Rogers.

WHITLOW JOINS ARVEST BANK IN SPRINGDALE

Arvest Bank is pleased to announce that Angela Whitlow has been named Human Resource Manager for Arvest Bank in

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Springdale.

Whitlow has worked for Walmart Stores Inc. for the past 24 years. For the last 14 of those years, she focused on progressive human resource management roles across various divisions.

“Angela has tremendous knowledge and skills in human resources that we can’t wait to benefit from here at Arvest Bank in Springdale and management,” said Lisa Ray, president of Arvest Bank in Springdale. “She is a true professional with a great personality. She will make a great addition as a key member of our team.”

Whitlow has been Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certified since 2006. She is an active member of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the National Society for Human Resource Management (NOARK).

She and her husband, Scott Whitlow, live in Rogers.

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015

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TAPPAN JOINES SIMMONS BANK AS EVP OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

Simmons Bank recently announced the addition of Philip A. Tappan as Executive Vice President of Financial Services with oversight responsibility for Simmons First Trust Company, Simmons First Investment Group and Simmons First Insurance Services, Inc.

“We are extremely excited to announce the addition of Philip Tappan to the executive team at Simmons Bank. He brings us experience as an investment banker combined with many years of relevant executive level management and leadership skills. Mr. Tappan’s leadership and vision will play a vital role in the continued integration of our growing financial services business lines into our core banking products and services,” said Marty Casteel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Simmons Bank.

Currently, Tappan is the Managing Partner of Tappan Land & Water Company.

He previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Quality Foods and as President and CEO of Quality Performance Food Group. Tappan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and Banking from the University of Arkansas.

Tappan is a member of the Simmons Bank Board of Directors and previously served on the Board of Directors for Delta Trust & Bank. Tappan serves on the Arkansas Community Foundation Board and Finance Committee, the St. Vincent Infirmary Foundation Board of Directors where he is Immediate Past Chairman, the Little Rock Advertising and Promotion Commission where he serves as Commissioner and Past Chair, the Fifty for the Future Board of Directors, and the Arkansas Food Bank Board of Directors where he served as Chairman of the Capital Campaign.

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Banker 1220 West Third Street Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone 501.376.3741 Fax 501.376.9243 www.arkbankers.org

RELYANCE BANK ANNOUNCES RECENT PROMOTIONS

Chuck Morgan, President and CEO of Relyance Bank, N.A. announces the following promotions: Chris Cummings was recently promoted to Vice President of Wealth Management. A Business Administration graduate from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, he has also earned the certifications of Certified Trust and Financial Advisor and Accredited Fiduciary Investment Manager during his eight years at Relyance. Mr. Cummings is the past president of the Pine Bluff Kiwanis Club and the current Board Chair for Voices for Children.

Jeremy Lambert was promoted to Vice President of Commercial Lending for the Pine Bluff market. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He has ten years of banking experience during which he graduated from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU. Mr. Lambert serves on the boards of directors for Jefferson Comprehensive Care and Big Brother Big Sister. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Optimist Club Pine Bluff Chapters.

Scott Socia was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Loan Operations. An Arkansas State University graduate that earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, he also has nine years of banking experience. Mr. Socia is a member of the Pine Bluff Rotary Club.

Rebecca Stone was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Human Resources. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications at Ouachita Baptist University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She has

several years of banking experience and currently manages employee compensation and benefits. Mrs. Stone is a volunteer with the United Way campaign and Feed the Need.

Alicia Nixon was promoted to Marketing and Business Development Officer.

She attended Henderson State University and is currently attending American Bankers Association School of Bank Marketing and Management with an expected graduation date of 2015. She has ten years of banking experience and currently serves on the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation Board and the Pine Bluff Festival Association Board. A Leadership Pine Bluff graduate, Mrs. Nixon is also a member of the Jefferson County Young Professionals and the Pine Bluff Rotary Club.

Heather Fry was promoted to Branch Manager of our Star City location. She earned an Associate’s degree in Banking and Finance from Southeast Arkansas College and has sixteen years of banking experience.

She currently serves as the Treasurer for Star City Band Boosters and is an active volunteer with Relay for Life.

Karen Hall was promoted to Account Services Officer. She attended Southeast Arkansas College and several professional training courses. She carries over 10 years of banking experience and volunteers with the Arkanstrong Volunteer Tornado Response effort and the Salvation Army.

Carrie Hall was promoted to Loan Production Manager.

A Rison High School graduate, she has eighteen years of banking experience. She is the past Secretary and Treasurer for the Rison Lions Club and still serves as a member.

January 2015 | The Arkansas Banker

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The Arkansas Banker | January 2015