The Arkansas Banker March 2016

2016 Security Workshop Preview

"Learning from the Error of Our Ways"

The Arkansas

Banker

Get Social: Banks How Social Media Impacts Your Bank's Marketing Strategy When

Volume XCX, No. 3 | March 2016 March 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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ABA Live Events ABA Professional Development

Live Events...

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

APRIL 2016

4 – 8 | Commercial Lending School

20

| Bank Directors Workshop II

12–13 | Supervisor Boot Camp

21

| BSA/AML Hot Topics

26

| Bank Internal Audit Fundamentals

27

| Risk-Based Internal Auditing

Embassy Suites, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Commercial Lenders, Credit Administration & Financial Analysts

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

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19

| Credit Conference

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Credit Officers, Executive and Senior Management, Commercial Loan Officers, Loan Support Personnel

| Loan Review

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Bank Directors, Executive Management, Shareholders and Senior Bank Officers

MAY 2016

9–12 | Compliance School

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Compliance Officers

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

Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Internal Auditors, Executive Management, Board of Directors

Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Internal Auditors, Managers, Supervisors, Board of Directors

28–29 | Security Workshop

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Security Officers, Cash Management Officers, Bank Legal Counsel, Operations Managers, Chief Information Officers, Branch Managers

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| Advanced Tax Return Analysis

20

| Bank Lending for the Retail Manager

11–13 | 126th Annual Convention

Little Rock Marriott & Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock Who Should Attend: CEOs, Presidents, Chairmen, Board of Directors, Senior Executives and Management

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Bank Directors, Executive Management, Shareholders, Senior Bank Officers

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

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

ForFor more more information information about about ABA ABA LiveLive Events, Events, loglog on on to www.arkbankers.org to www.arkbankers.org or call or call 501.376.3741 501.376.3741

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The Arkansas Banker | March 2016 2016

The Arkansas

Banker Volume XCIX, No. 3 | March 2016

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

ADVERTISEMENT

President’s Column

6

Government Relations

8

Washington Update

COLUMNS

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.

4

Bill Holmes Ava Franks

Rob Nichols

10 Political Perspective

Roby Brock

21 Industry News

DEPARTMENTS

22 Member News 24 Association News 25 Banker News & Moves

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.

27 Index of Advertisements

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

14 Learning from the

Error of Our Ways

11 Annual Convention Preview 12 2016 Security Workshop

SUBSCRIPTION

FEATURES

By Barry Thompson

20 125 Years of the ABA:

The Great Flood of 1927

MAGAZINE RATES

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

The Arkansas Banker (ISSN 004-1726) is published monthly by the Arkansas Bankers Association, 1220 West Third Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.

Phone: 501.376.3741. Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, AR. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Arkansas Bankers Association, 1220 West Third Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.

COVER STORY When Banks Go Social Social media has impacted the way our society communicates. How should it change your marketing strategy?

See page 16 March 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Calling for a Strong and Vibrant Banking System Your constituents and community need a strong and vibrant banking system.

That is the message we took to our delegation at last week’s American Banker Association’s GR Summit. We reminded them that our hometown bankers understand the need for supervision and careful oversight of banking. Then we reminded them that congressional action is needed in far too many areas to correct the unintended consequences of laws and regulations that are still inhibiting our bankers from serving the needs of their constituents, our customers and communities.

Our bankers visited with each of our Senators and Congressmen; at every meeting several of our bankers shared a specific instance where they had an unintended obstacle to providing the banking service that a customer needed and wanted.

These are services that have been available to our customers for decades; services that we have always provided in our communities. After the meetings, we left behind a brochure detailing our top priorities or concerns. There is also a specific action request for each of these subjects.

Listed here is a brief of each of those concerns: Tailored Regulation: Focus Regulations only Where it Makes Sense.

Many of the new regulations have been indiscriminately applied to our entire industry.

As a result, some customers have to pay higher prices, wait longer, or have been denied access to credit.

How can congress help? Pass H.R. 2896, the Tailor Act. Relieve Regulatory Burdens.

Regulatory burdens have grown dramatically in recent years. Multiple bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate to relieve specific pressure points. These bills would provide for Qualified Mortgage safe harbors for loans held in portfolios, streamline the CTR report, and allow well-capitalized community banks to file a short-form call report, exempt banks under $10 billion from the Volker rule and raise the CFPB threshold to $50billion.

How can Congress help? Support H.R. 1389, The American Jobs and revitalization Act; H.R. 1233 the Community Lending Enhancement and Regulatory Relief Act (CLEARR Act); S. 1484 the Financial Improvement Act.

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The Arkansas Banker | March 2016

Data Security: Protecting Consumers Is a Shared Responsibility.

The too frequent breaches of sensitive consumer information has made it clear that some do not protect the personal information of customers. Data breaches impose risks and costs on all parties, including customers, merchants and banks. Banks comply with federal requirements to protect data and notify customers of breaches, merchants are not subject to comparable requirements. A strong national standard for data security is needed now.

How can Congress help? Support S. 961/H.R. 2205, the Data Security Act. Support the Expansion of Safe, Traditional Portfolio Lending.

Portfolio lending is among the most traditional and lowest-risk services we provide our communities. Loans held in our portfolios are well underwritten because it is being held in our bank’s portfolio, and we bear all of the credit and rate risk of the loan until it is repaid. Existing mortgage rules are very restrictive and have made it difficult, and sometimes impossible, for credit-worthy individuals and small businesses to obtain a loan.

How can congress help? Support H.R. 1210, the Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act.

Bank Examinations Must Be Consistent, Balanced and Transparent.

Regulators ensure that the banks they supervise comply with all rules and regulations by having examiners visit in banks on a regular basis to review assets, liabilities, income and expenses. These exams ensure the bank is safe and sound and is following applicable laws and regs. Occasionally inconsistent application of regulations by examiners has created problems. The proposed legislation would ensure banks receive timely exam reports and would establish an independent exam appeal process.

How can Congress help? Support S. 774 and H.R. 1942, both called the Financial Institutions Examinations Fairness and reform Act. Equal Treatment for Credit Unions.

Today there are 235 credit unions with over a $1 billion dollars in assets, making them larger than 90 percent of taxpaying banks,

ABA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT & CEO BILL HOLMES

yet they still pay no federal taxes. This gives them a distinct advantage when they compete directly with our banks. The credit unions’ tax exemption is estimated by the Department of Treasury to be $27 billion over ten years. Congress must investigate whether it is still appropriate, or necessary, to continue to grant this tax exemption.

How can Congress help? Oppose H.R. 1188 and S. 2028 that would expand their business lending authority.

Farm Credit System.

The FCS is a $261 billion governmentsponsored enterprise that competes directly with our banks, making farm, ranch, consumer, housing, business and energy loans. If they were a bank they would be the ninth largest bank. But, as a GSE they do not pay taxes at the same rate as banks. The FCS was created in 1916 when farmers had limited options to finance their operations.

Today, that is no longer the case; less than 11 percent of all FCS loans went to young farmers in 2015. The FCS is capable of paying its full share of taxes.

How can Congress help? Eliminate the FCS’s tax subsidy and level the playing field.

Thank you to our bankers: Robert Taylor, Sean Williams, Jim Taylor, Don Walker, Jim Cargill, Bruce Maloch, Chris Gosnell, Jeff Lynch, Frank Scott, Blake Fletcher, and Casey Washam, who traveled to Washington to share stories of how their customers are being impacted by the regulatory burdens. Thank you to Commissioner Franks who, by her presence in Washington, lends great credibility to our cause.

Thank you also to Kathleen Cargill, Rebecca Gosnell and Dana Lynch for making our trip more enjoyable. And thank you to Ava Franks and Barry Jackson for making everything run smoothly.

Parkway Bank, Rogers

ROBERT Y. TAYLOR | CHAIRMAN

SEAN WILLIAMS | CHAIRMAN-ELECT First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne

DAVE DICKSON | VICE CHAIRMAN Union Bank & Trust Co., Monticello

JUDY LAWTON | TREASURER Heartland Bank, Little Rock

CHUCK MORGAN | PAST CHAIRMAN Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff

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

ABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PHIL BALDWIN | GROUP 2 Citizens Bank, Batesville

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

GREG CONNELL | GROUP 2 The Farmers & Merchants Bank, Perryville

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

TROY DUKE | GROUP 5 Gateway Bank, Rison

WILSON MOORE | GROUP 2 Bank of America, Little Rock

Regions Bank, Hot Springs

ELIZABETH FARRIS | GROUP 4

JERRY MORGAN | GROUP 1 Focus Bank, Jonesboro

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

Eagle Bank, Little Rock

SCOTT HANCOCK | GROUP 3 Centennial Bank, Fayetteville

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

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

MIKE SMITH | GROUP 5 McGehee Bank, McGehee

JON HARRELL | GROUP 3

JIM TAYLOR | GROUP 3 First Security Bancorp, Fayetteville

DARWIN HENDRIX | GROUP 4

STANHOPE WILKINSON | GROUP 3 Farmers Bank & Trust, Greenwood

First Bank, Rogers

Bank of Delight, Delight

CATHERINE OWEN | GROUP 2

CHARLES HORTON | GROUP 1 Fidelity Bank, West Memphis

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

BARRY JACKSON

SVP/COO 501.978.3613 | barry.jackson@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

BRENDA SCARBROUGH

MARKETING COORDINATOR 501.978.3609 | jessica.sahene@arkbankers.org

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR 501.978.3607 | brenda.scarbrough@arkbankers.org

STUART THALHEIMER

CAROL ALLEN

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 501.978.3605 | stuart.thalheimer@arkbankers.org 501.978.3600 | carol.allen@arkbankers.org March 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

5

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Bankers Brainstorm with Congressman Hill

Thursday, February 18, Congressman French Hill joined about 15 bankers at the ABA to discuss federal regulatory relief. The group brainstormed issues that would alleviate some of the pressure due to overregulation rather than simply continuing to lamenting the problem. The intent of this, and other meetings with our congressional delegation is to draft legislation with the end goal of to passing that legislation after the new administration takes over in 2017.

VP / DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AVA FRANKS

A champion for bankers, Congressman French Hill works tirelessly on behalf of our industry. During his visit, Hill talked to bankers about their key roles as a valuable source of information.

Congressman Hill and Legislative Assistant, Holli Heilles, discuss strategy with Cathy Owen, Eagle Bank and Trust, Little Rock; and Larry Wilson, First Arkansas Bank and Trust, Jacksonville.

Bankers Kyle Patton, The Capital Bank, Little Rock; Charles Penick, Petit Jean State Bank, Morrilton; James Taylor, First Security Bancorp Little Rock; Jim Franks, First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock; and John Olaimey, Southern Bancorp, Little Rock; chat prior to the group's visit with Congressman Hill.

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The Arkansas Banker | March 2016

ABA Webinars ABA Professional Development

Webinars...

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

Uniform Commercial Code Rules: How to Apply to Attach and Perfect Secured Transactions Tuesday, April 5, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Handling Checks after Death of the Account Holder Tuesday, April 5, 2016 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Using Personal Tax Returns for Global Cashflow: What’s Cashflow and What Isn’t Wednesday, April 6, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Advanced Topics in Commercial Lending Thursday, April 7, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Critical Issues of Certificates of Deposit (CDs) Tuesday, April 12, 2016 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Fair Credit Reporting Act Compliance – 10 Critical Issues Wednesday, April 13, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Mastering the Balancing Act Thursday, April 14, 2016 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Opening New Accounts II – Business Accounts Thursday, April 14, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

BSA Officers Series – Managing Your BSA Alerts Friday, April 15, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The Bank CEO Guide to 5 Keys to a High Performing Sales Team

Do’s and Don’ts of Checks – How to Avoid Loss

Monday, April 11, 2016 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Flood Insurance Compliance Hot Spots

Developing and Organizing an Effective Remote Deposit Capture Program (RDC)

Tuesday, April 12, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Reg E Compliance – Five Best Practices for Handling Disputes Thursday, April 21, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Analyzing Appraisals for Mortgage Decisions Tuesday, April 26, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

TRID for Construction Loans Wednesday, April 27, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Properly Audit Your Safe Deposit Department: 30 Important Steps (2016 Update) Thursday, April 28, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Opening New Accounts III – Trust, Fiduciary and Minor Accounts Thursday, April 28, 2016 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Writing an Effective Credit Memorandum Thursday, May 5, 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

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

March 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

7

WASHINGTON UPDATE From Farm Credit to Fintech: The Case for Leveling the Playing Field This past December, after years of waiting by bankers, members of the House Agriculture Committee finally brought in representatives from the Farm Credit Administration for the agency’s first oversight hearing in more than a decade. It was a chance to ask some long overdue questions about the Farm Credit System’s abuse of taxpayer benefits in financing such non-farm related activities as loans to telecom giants and chain restaurants.

The hearing was held after repeated calls from ABA and the state associations for more responsible management of a governmentsponsored enterprise that has far exceeded the intended scope of its mission for far too long.

While we rightfully counted this hearing among our year-end victories, we also acknowledged that this is just one step in an ongoing battle to achieve a fair and level playing field for banks.

It’s a battle that extends beyond the Farm Credit System to other competitors that are getting a leg up from the government. The National Credit Union Administration, for example, continues to confuse its role as regulator with that of a cheerleader. In recent months, it has approved a dramatic expansion of credit unions’ business lending powers and issued a wildly expansive membership proposal that, combined, make credit unions tax-exempt banks. The agency’s actions are nothing short of an end-run around Congress, where bankers have succeeded in making credit unions’ legislative wishlist too controversial to touch.

Other competitors may be getting a less visible but almost as powerful boost from regulators’ passivity, not activity. I’m referring to the fact that our regulatory structure and rules have not kept pace with the rapid emergence of financial technology products, or “fintech.”

innovations have flooded the market, backed by billions of dollars of venture capital. It represents an area of great opportunity for us — already, we’re seeing banks beginning to partner with these providers in new and innovative ways. But we must be mindful that the emergence of this new sector also comes with the potential for yet another unlevel playing field.

ROB NICHOLS

President & CEO American Bankers Association

As I noted in a recent American Banker oped, banks and fintech firms have different supervisory regimes, even though the products they offer — such as payments, loans and deposits — are essentially the same. Banks are regularly examined to ensure consumer protections and cyber defenses are in place, for example. Fintech firms are not. That has consequences not only for consumers but also for banks’ ability to partner with and match the innovations of fintech providers.

These inequities are why creating a level playing field is the first pillar of ABA’s Agenda for America’s Hometown Banks (available at aba. com/Agenda). We are advocating for prudent and responsible oversight for fintech companies, not simply because it impacts our bottom line, but because it impacts our customers. We are also pursuing the elimination of the special tax status for the Farm Credit System and credit unions when they act outside their missions.

These are big asks, and progress toward these goals will require tremendous patience and persistence. But we saw our persistence pay off with the Farm Credit System hearing in December — a small yet crucial first step. And we hope our steady drumbeat about our taxadvantaged competitors will pay off whenever Congress turns its attention to tax reform.

Fintech has dominated headlines in almost every major financial publication in recent months as countless new payment, lending and investment

© 2016 2015 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

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The Arkansas Banker | March 2016

AmBA Training ABA Professional Development

AmBA Training...

Provides valuable curriculum in a virtual classroom setting, with the leadership of industry professionals. All assignments and exams are completed online.

Analyzing Financial Statements

Analyzing Financial Statements

Introduction to Trust Products & Services

4/4/2016 - 7/24/2016

5/2/2016 - 8/21/2016

6/20/2016 - 7/24/2016

Managing Interest Rate Risk

General Accounting

Consumer Lending

4/4/2016 - 5/29/2016

5/2/2016 - 8/21/2016

7/11/2016 - 10/30/2016

General Accounting

Consumer Lending

Economics for Bankers

4/11/2016 - 7/31/2016

5/9/2016 - 8/28/2016

7/11/2016 - 10/30/2016

Consumer Lending

Economics for Bankers

4/11/2016 - 7/31/2016

5/9/2016 - 8/28/2016

Introduction to Mortgage Lending

Principles of Banking

Law and Banking: Principles

4/11/2016 - 7/31/2016

5/9/2016 - 8/28/2016

Basic Administrative Duties of a Trustee

Principles of Banking

4/18/2016 - 5/22/2016

Marketing Financial Services 4/18/2016 - 8/7/2016

Law and Banking: Applications 4/25/2016 - 8/14/2016

Money and Banking 4/25/2016 - 8/14/2016

Principles of Banking 4/25/2016 - 8/14/2016

Supervisor Certificate

5/9/2016 - 8/28/2016

Commercial Lending 5/16/2016 - 8/7/2016

General Accounting 6/6/2016 - 9/25/2016

Managing Funding, Liquidity, and Capital 6/6/2016 - 7/17/2016

Principles of Banking 6/6/2016 - 9/25/2016

CTFA Online Review Course

7/11/2016 - 10/30/2016

Introduction to Ag Lending 7/18/2016 - 9/11/2016

General Accounting 7/25/2016 - 11/13/2016

Analyzing Financial Statements 8/1/2016 - 11/27/2016

Managing the Bank's Investment Portfolio 8/1/2016 - 9/4/2016

Commercial Lending 8/8/2016 - 10/30/2016

CRCM Online Review Course 8/15/2016 - 10/23/2016

6/20/2016 - 9/11/2016

4/25/2016 - 8/14/2016

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

March 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

9

POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE Rhetoric Versus Reality in Politics It's an election year, which means we’re going to hear a lot of chatter about how terrible America is and the need to make it great (again) or how wonderful America is and the need to keep the good times rolling.

Whatever your perspective, I’m urging you not to panic.

Presidential election years are the worst for hyperbolic speech. Incomplete dissections of the nation’s problems and oversimplified solutions to them actually happen daily, but we only tune in for an overdose of it once every four years when there is a referendum on who will occupy the White House. Need some proof? Arkansas’s recent primary offers an example.

In the 2014 general election — you remember how big it was — with Sen. Mark Pryor versus then Cong. Tom Cotton in the U.S. Senate race and Asa Hutchinson versus Mike Ross for the governorship, all eyes were on Arkansas. We were poised and positioned for a massive voter turnout of potential Presidential proportions we were told. Only 852,642 Arkansans voted in November 2014, an election described as “defining for a generation.”

In the recently concluded March 1 primary just a few weeks ago, we had 639,146 voters cast ballots.

That number is 75 percent of what we saw in the last general election. For comparison’s sake, in the 2012 Presidential primary in Arkansas, just 315,007 voted and in the 2012 general election we saw 1,069,468 turn out to cast Presidential ballots.

The current Presidential field led by Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton offers a stark contrast of the state of the nation. Trump is highlighting terrible trade deals, problematic immigration concerns, and a rising national debt. Hire him and he’ll reverse all of that and make America “great again.” Clinton will attach herself to President Obama’s economic record, which includes job growth, low unemployment, abundant low-cost energy and gas, and a muchimproved housing market.

Who are you going to believe? I urge you to believe neither … or both.

None of the candidates running for the highest office in the land are going to paint a complete

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The Arkansas Banker | March 2016

and accurate picture of what’s happening.

They will selectively find the good things (of which they can take credit) and the bad things (for which they can assign blame). It’s called marketing their brand. If it comes down to Trump versus Hillary, you’re either going to have to “Stand with her” or want to “Make America Great Again.”

My reason for encouraging you earlier to not panic is because whoever wins the White House will have little ability to make fundamental or monumental changes to many of the current policies of this land. True, they can sign or rescind executive orders that will make a difference, but major policy shifts will require three branches of government to embrace it. The executive branch might propose it, the legislative branch is going to have to pass it, and the judicial branch is going to interpret and provide the guidance for enforcing it.

GUEST COLUMNIST ROBY BROCK

Look to Obamacare for Case No. 1. After contentious elections, razor-thin legislative votes, and multiple Supreme Court challenges, the law remains intact but widely interpreted. It is still under assault from its opponents and held in high regard by its supporters. Nobody elected as the next President — despite what they say — is going to walk into the White House and immediately change any aspect of this law. It will take too much consensus.

We live in a country now that is so divided that finding common ground won’t happen even if it is clear and obvious. Of the two major political parties, neither can allow the other one a victory, so they both must wallow in defeat. Our choices are no longer as clear as giving women or people of color the right to vote. Choices today involve how to properly regulate air or water usage, health care delivery, and financial markets. These aren’t black-and-white choices — we live in a country with choices that vary in 50 shades of gray. Whatever changes are to come will come incrementally.

Rest assured that the rhetoric you hear in this campaign cycle won’t match the reality of what can be achieved. Take it for what it is: messaging to move the masses to show up to vote on Election Day.

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.

Convention & Trade Show ARKANSAS BANKERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL

Join the Arkansas Bankers Association as we celebrate 125 years of service to the Arkansas Banking Industry! This year's Annual Convention will be held May 11-13 at the Little Rock Marriott and Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock.

Featured Speakers Senator John Boozman U.S. Senate (Invited)

125 Years

OF SERVICE TO THE ARKANSAS BANKING INDUSTRY

Arkansas State Bank Department

Dan Blanton

James Burson

American Bankers Association

Cornerstone Advisors

Doreen Eberley

William R. Emmons

FDIC

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Margaret Liu Conference of State Bank Supervisors

Benjamin McMahan

Karl Nelson

Dr. Steffen Schmidt

KPN Consulting

Iowa State University

Convention Events PROUDLY CELEBRATING

Commissioner Candace Franks

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Annual Trade Show

CNA Chairman's Reception

Wednesday, May 11 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 12 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 12

PAC Silent Auction Wednesday, May 11 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 12 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Spouse Event: Marlsgate Plantation Tour Thursday, May 12

10:40 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

DD&F Legacy of Leadership ABA Annual Banquet & Officer Installation Thursday, May 12 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Simmons Strawberry Breakfast Friday, May 13

6:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Spouse Event: Walk the Rock Friday, May 13

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

March2016 2016 || The TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker March

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2016 SECURITY WORKSHOP APRIL 28 & 29, 2016 CROWNE PLAZA, LITTLE ROCK

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 2016 Security Workshop, scheduled for April 28-29 at the Crowne Plaza in Little Rock, will address the security issues and concerns banks face, including fraud, robbery, money laundering, and workplace violence.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND Security Officers Cash Management Officers Bank Legal Counsel Operations Managers Chief Information Officers Branch Managers

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Attendants qualify for 9 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits in Specialized Knowledge & Applications in group-live training.

Attendants qualify for 8.25 general CLE credits through the Arkansas Continuing Legal Education Board.

Attendants qualify for 10 CFSSP, 6.5 CRCM credits through the Institute of Certified Bankers (ICB).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information, please contact the Arkansas Bankers Association Professional development Department at (501) 376-3741 or brenda.scarbrough@arkbankers.org.

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TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker || March March2016 2016 The

FEATURED SPEAKERS Arvin E. Clar, CFE Thompson Consulting Group Arvin works with the Thompson Consulting Group, LLC as a security practitioner. Prior to joining Thompson Consulting Group, LLC., Arvin served with the Cleveland Police Department for over 29 years, where he held the assignment as a detective in the Financial Crimes Unit. He serves as Adjunct Faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, in the College of Criminal Justice, where he has been an instructor for over 35 years. Arvin is a Certified Fraud Examiner and is currently on the Northeast Ohio Chapter CFE Board.

Barry Thompson, CRCM Thompson Consulting Group Barry is an international speaker, trainer, consultant and writer who contributes to Bankers’ Hotline and Bankersonline.com.

He is a security and compliance “guru” for Bankersonline.com and organizes security conferences for trade groups. Barry is recognized as a speaker worldwide, presenting in Brussels, Belgium to European bankers on internal fraud; at the United Nations on identity theft; and to Japanese bankers on bank security. Barry has worked in the financial services industry for over three decades where he handled over 900 security cases and has been involved with investigations and prosecutions at federal, state and local levels. He is the author of 101 Security Tips!

SECURITY WORKSHOP AGENDA Thursday, April 28

2:15 p.m.

Networking Break

8:30 a.m.

Registration & Continental Breakfast

2:30 p.m.

Diffusing the Hostile Customer

4:00 p.m.

Adjourn

9:00 a.m.

Internal Fraud: Why Do We Miss the Signs?

How prepared is your bank for internal theft and fraud?

Defalcations/Embezzlements were one of the most reported SAR events filed by financial institutions from 1996 to 2013. Internal embezzlements have caused financial institutions to fail overnight. This riveting session identifies the behavioral changes that can identify internal frauds in the making! We will review the warning signs that every staff member should look for or be able to identify to help stop an internal embezzlement. Discover where the internal thief will spend the stolen funds and how they keep their stealing from being found. Know whether you should do the investigation or hire a Certified Fraud Investigator. This insightful program provides you the tools needed to understand the workings of an internal fraud.

Handling difficult people is one of the hardest situations staff is asked to manage on a regular basis. This program reviews problems frontline staff and management could face during interactions with accountholders. People who become upset need to be diffused, and doing so is often not an easy problem. If a staff member responds to a question with a statement like, “That isn’t my job.

I don’t handle loans!” the accountholder who has had problems getting someone to understand their situation explodes. This can lead to yelling, threats or other serious problems. Learn the methods to help you cope with difficult accountholders. We will review causative factors, warning signs and the proper use of cognitive listening.

This segment will provide you with best practices on how to diffuse a difficult person.

Friday, April 29

10:15 a.m.

Networking Break

8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

10:30 a.m.

Preparation, Risks, & Critical Robbery Debriefing

8:30 a.m.

Money Laundering Simulation

10:15 a.m.

Networking Break

10:30 a.m.

Conducting Investigations: All the Way to the Courtroom

12:00 p.m.

Adjourn

Teller pods and cash dispensers–are they changing the bank robbery landscape? Even in this high-tech age, old-fashioned bank robberies are still a cause for concern.

While quick, easy and low-risk targets are still a robber’s choice—you can stop the attraction toward your branches.

Let’s re-examine the renewed emphasis in what employees should do before robberies occur that are at the forefront of prevention. This session will also highlight other robbery tools being employed to prevent, identify and apprehend bank robbers. After a robbery, you will know what is needed in the first 24 hours working with law enforcement and counselors for your staff. This session provides you a step-by-step understanding of what will be expected of you right up to the court trial.

12:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:00 p.m.

The 15 Worst Security Mistakes

There are hundreds of ways to make critical security mistakes within a financial institution -- and there’s so little time to deal with the aftermath created by those mistakes.

This session identifies the 15 worst security mistakes that consultants find credit unions making and how to correct them. Both the mistakes and remedies are drawn from Barry Thompson’s extensive experience as a security consultant, trainer and writer.

You know what money laundering is, but would you recognize it if you saw it? As BSA requirements become more severe, many financial institutions are using technology to identify the money launderer. Sometimes staff don’t understand the reasons why the technology is telling them something is wrong. This interactive session will train you to think like a money launderer. It will provide a useful format to educate risk management staff at your bank about the BSA function.

Conducting investigations can be one of the most daunting jobs for the financial institutions professional.

In this session, we will outline the steps for internal and external investigations and who should be assigned that duty. Attendees will learn the importance of active listening, remaining objective, documentation and evidence collection.

March2016 2016 || The TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker March

13 13

Learning from the Error of Our Ways

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barry Thompson is the Managing Partner of Thompson Consulting Group, LLC. Thompson spent 22 years in banking with roles as executive vice president, senior vice president, treasurer, compliance officer, and security officer.

Hear more from Barry Thompson at the 2016 Security Workshop April 28-29!

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A national banking association called Thompson Consulting to seek advice on how to help a member institution that had been robbed. The institution had no idea where to obtain counseling for a staff member and needed immediate assistance. Working with our contacts, we were able to find a reputable service and contacted the institution within the hour. After supplying the information needed, we inquired about the robbery, which had taken place the previous week. Here’s what a representative from Human Resources told us:

The branch is small and staffed by three tellers and a branch manager who wasn’t present at the time of the robbery. As far as security measures go, the branch had been built with a man trap installed at the entry door. This man trap had been equipped with sensors to determine if someone were carrying a weapon and would lock if the sensors were activated.

A teller, who was seven months pregnant, was approached by the robber, who demanded cash and claimed to be carrying a gun.

Witnessing the crime, the teller next to her immediately activated the panic alarm. After receiving the money from the first teller’s cash drawer, the robber started to exit the building.

The teller who had sounded the alarm now pressed a button that locked the man trap door behind him. Hearing the audible click of the locking man trap, the robber turned

TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker || March March2016 2016 The

around, threatened to shoot everyone if they locked the door he was about to exit, and then ran away. Law enforcement soon arrived and everyone in the branch survived the robbery without injury.

The branch re-opened Monday, with everyone returning to work except the pregnant teller (who did return on Wednesday). This was the teller in need of counseling.

The HR person went on to tell us that this same branch had almost been robbed two weeks before. In that episode, the robber arrived, checked out the man trap, and left before entering the bank. We immediately inquired if the bank had made any changes at the branch or if the security officer had performed any physical risk assessments there recently.

The HR person’s response was, “What do you mean by ‘physical risk assessments’?”

We explained that there was likely a reason for the sudden increase in robbery attempts at their branch. Several factors could be involved, including increased security at other institution branches in the area or environmental changes at their location.

The HR person cut off the explanation with, “I have no idea what the security officer has done in that regard. He’s in a different department. Besides, all the banks in this area get robbed; it was just our turn!” With that,

signals a major problem within the institution.

Financial institutions should always take steps to be prepared for a robbery. When any of the situations below exist, your institution may a have a problem: The financial institution has never been robbed and isn’t worried about it.

The financial institution hasn’t been robbed in a long time, so there is little concern about it happening again.

The security officer has never been sent to training.

The financial institution has lost its trained person to retirement or another institution.

Here are some questions to help you determine if your institution has a potential problem on its hands or not: Does your security officer receive annual training on security issues? she assured me she didn’t need any more help and ended our conversation.

If your financial institution is robbed, who will respond?

Of course, the most frustrating aspect of this experience, as a professional trainer/ consultant firm, was being asked to help the institution and then to be told, in so many words, “Sorry, we don’t want to hear what you have to say.” Nevertheless, we can still learn quite a bit from this story by reviewing the situation in order to identify some of the weaknesses in this institution’s security program.

What role will Human Resources play?

First of all, we can assume that management must have at least initially been concerned about protecting staff and customers because the bank had already gone to the expense of installing a man trap, a device which costs about $100,000.

What was missing, however, was the training component. Staff members should have been made aware of the fact that a man trap cannot guarantee their safety and they should have been made aware of the dangers of activating the alarm while a robber is still at the teller window.

In addition, Human Resources and the security officer should have been working together and an employee assistance program should have been in place. When an incident occurs on a Friday, yet the needs of staff members aren’t considered until the following Wednesday, this

Who takes control after the robbery?

Is it someone trained for the situation or a senior officer with no background in dealing with robbery?

When was the last time a physical inspection was performed at your locations, both day and night?

If your financial institution cannot answer these questions correctly, it might find itself on the receiving end of a law suit, which ultimately translates into increased insurance costs. Members of management who have never before been involved in a lawsuit will be amazed at the amount of money and time they’ll have to spend producing records and answering subpoenas.

Every financial institution should have a plan for the robbery situation it will inevitably face. This plan should outline who is responsible for working with law enforcement and the steps to be followed after the robbery. Most importantly, the bank should establish a program for day and night inspections in order to identify any weaknesses in security that might make the institution a target in the first place.

Copyright 2016, Barry Thompson, All rights reserved.

March2016 2016 || The TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker March

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Get Social: Banks How Social Media Impacts Your Bank's Marketing Strategy When

Social Media: ten years ago, we thought it was a fad for teen and twenty-somethings, now it's a growing platform that impacts daily interactions — with our friends, with our community, and with our customers. Social media allows us to stay informed of the latest news (or gossip), research companies based on valued opinions, and connect with friends around the globe. Regardless of whether we love it or loathe it, there is no denying that Social Media has expanded our world.

That means it is also expanding the way we do business. Social media provides financial institutions the opportunity to gain a competitive edge by connecting with consumers of all generations. ...and it's not just about connections, it's about relationships. Social media is a platform that allows financial institutions to cultivate relationships with a demographic that no longer walks into a traditional branch.

According to the American Bankers Association, the top reasons consumers connect to their financial institution’s social channel include receiving information about financial services, receiving information about offers or promotions, reviewing other consumers’ opinions or advice or post reviews, and conducting customer service related activities. Customers who are connected to their bank via social media and customers who are interested in connecting have a higher usage of financial products and services.

To get a better perspective of the social media landscape in Arkansas, we caught up with Mike Sells of the Sells Agency in Little Rock, as well as four Arkansas bankers who are "in the trenches" of social media marketing: Molly Carpenter of FNBC Bank in Ash Flat; Chukwukere Ekeh of Citizens Bank & Trust Company in Van Buren; Ryan Taylor of Centennial Bank in Conway; and Amanda Turner of First National Bank of Wynne. Let's join the conversation!

What Social Media Platform Best Suits Your Brand?

Pinterest

Facebook LinkedIn

1.5+ billion users Ages 25-54

414 million users Ages 30-64

Purpose: Relationship bu

Best For: Building brand

ilding

loyalty Downside: Limited rea ch

Instagram

Purpose: News and net

working Best For: Business devel opment Downside: Limited intera ction

100 million users Ages 18-35 marking Purpose: Visual book nd loyalty Best For: Building bra ly, very Downside: Images on ic ph gra mo de ific spec

400 million users Ages 18-34 Purpose: Relationship building Best For: Photo sharing Downside: Images only

Sean Williams President & CEO First National Bank of Wynne Social media is critical today because, for many customers, it’s the highest touch point.

It’s a must!

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The TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker || March March2016 2016

Twitter

320 milli on use Ages 18-4 rs 9 Purpose : News a nd article s Best For : Public re lations Downsid e: 140 ch aracters or less

Perceived Impact of Social Media 71% of

Arkansas Bank CEOs surveyed say Social Media has an impact on their bank

The Arkansas Banker Arkansas Bankers Association What is your strategy for social media in your bank?

15

%

are neutral

14%

say there is no impact

Mike Sells

Owner, The Sells Agency

Little Rock Area | Marketing & Advertising

In your professional opinion, what is the importance of banks utilizing social media platforms?

Younger consumers expect the companies they do business with to be on social media. They have become so used to asking questions and gathering information on social media channels that if a bank isn’t engaging them in those channels, they will look elsewhere to find a bank that meets those expectations.

Also, banks need to be on social media to know what is being said about them — positive or negative — by the customers and communities they serve, and have an opportunity to engage in those conversations that are happening. That’s one of the major truths that banks need to understand — your brand is likely a part of conversations online whether you are there or not. By engaging in social media, you get to not just start conversations but engage in those that are happening anyway

What policies should a bank have in place before joining the world of social media...and, taking into account the ever-evolving social world, how flexible should those policies be?

First of all, there are policies that you have to have in place in order to be compliant and stay out of trouble with regulators. Beyond those, banks need to be very intentional about policies pertaining to who can represent the bank in social media. While some employees may want to represent the bank online, it is important to make sure employees know that anything they see online that should be responded to by the bank, they need to alert the social media team at the bank and allow the official social media team to handle the response. We also recommend that policies be in place to keep employees from launching social media platforms for their particular department, branch or area. Sometimes when a bank decides to jump into social media one of the first responsibilities is to clean up the “unofficial” pages that exist.

Molly Carpenter FNBC Bank We view our social media platforms as a way to build community and to bring awareness to various things we are involved in across all of our markets.

We are pretty firm in our belief that our platforms aren't for selling products and services for a couple of reasons. For one, our customers are inundated with products and services daily from all corners of the Internet. We simply don't want to be another pushy sales message. Second, our brand is centered around being community bankers. I think our social media presence should definitely always speak to that truth. And third, and probably the biggest reason for me, personally, is the regulatory burden.

Since FFIEC recommends treating social media posts as you would any newspaper ad, I find developing those disclosures and links cumbersome. When you're simply sharing information about your community involvement, you're really able to lift up your community and your employees. It brings the 'community banker' factor into more clear focus.

Chukwukere Ekeh Citizens Bank & Trust Company Our social media strategy is one determined to not necessarily sell, sell, sell, but create value, value, value. We create content that entertains, informs, and is interesting. Facebook has been our main platform, but as we branch out into Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest we try to use them as natively as possible where we fit into people newsfeeds instead of distracting from them.

Ryan Taylor Centennial Bank We pride ourselves on relationships. First and foremost, we want to make sure we supply a personal touch to any communication we have with our customers and visitors on any social media platform. Our ultimate goal is to enhance your personal experience and make it as seamless as possible. In addition, we work to give our visitors and customers information about our community works and educate them about our products and services.

Amanda Turner First National Bank of Wynne First National Bank’s social media strategy is based around our tagline, “It’s all about relationships”.

Rather than promoting products, we focus on building connections with those in our community.

We do this by posting material we think our audience finds relevant, interesting and helpful; which can vary from highlighting the “First National Bank Player of the Week” for the local football team on our social media pages, hosting a giveaway to increase traffic to our online pages and lobby or helping spread the word about events going on in our community.

March March2016 2016 | | The TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker

17 17

The Arkansas Banker Arkansas Bankers Association How important is social media in your bank's marketing strategy?

Amanda Turner First National Bank of Wynne Social media is a key element to First National Bank’s marketing strategy. Our goal is to form meaningful and real relationships with each one of our customers, but that can be difficult to do if we are only available at our bank locations. Because of social media, First National Bank has been able to generate loans through simple forms we have placed on different sites, assist customers with questions or difficulties they may be having and be part of the conversation that is happening. We strive to make our banking products up-to-date and convenient. With people constantly searching Facebook or Twitter for answers, locations, hours and so much more, we want to make sure we’re part of that conversation and providing the answers.

Ryan Taylor Centennial Bank There are conferences all over the country courting banks to come and be a part of discussion on this very topic so I think many banks would agree it is important. We understand the growth opportunity we have within the social media aspect of our strategy but our marketing team focuses equally hard on every aspect of communication from print to digital media.

We’ve seen banks utilize social media in a variety of ways...do you feel it’s best to use it to sell products & services, or to solidify brand image?

We are talking about “social” media. It’s not called “marketplace” media. The simple definition of “social” according to MerriamWebster is: relating to or involving activities in which people spend time talking to each other or doing enjoyable things with each other. So social media is an online gathering of connected individuals who want to spend time talking to each other…much like an informal party at someone’s house. If you were invited to someone’s informal party how appropriate would it be to show up and try to sell everyone in the room a credit card? Would you be invited back to the next party? The same is true on social media — if you try to turn it into a selling opportunity you will get unfriended, unfollowed, blocked or ignored.

The best utilization of social media for banks is in building brand awareness and brand preference by being seen as a relevant, involved, informative, active and interested part of people’s lives. Be a brand that people can relate to. If you do that properly and with patience, you will sell more products and services over time. There are appropriate ways to promote products and services through social media and many banks have found some success in doing so, but it should not be a primary utilization of social media

Chukwukere Ekeh Citizens Bank & Trust Company Social media is a growing aspect of our strategy as a whole because it’s a way to reach and communicate with the next generation as well as solidify our brand in the ever-growing digital world. Social media is like a party and you can be the life of it or absent, with the latter potentially harming your business.

Where are Arkansas Banks?

71% Facebook

57% Twitter

Molly Carpenter FNBC Bank In everything I do, I think about social media's role.

Social media used to be something you could think about for certain projects, and it wasn't really a part of the traditional public relations toolkit. Now, it is the biggest and best tool in that toolkit. Your reach is so much further, and you are able to have two-way conversations with your customers... It gives a voice to your customer and allows them to give valuable feedback, including great new ideas. I know we've all heard it, but it is true: Your customers ARE talking about you. Don't you want to be a part of that conversation?

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Social media has also been the greatest tool for me professionally. I have been able to tweet bankers from all over the country to share ideas and information. I'm still pretty new to the community banking world, and it's opened a lot of doors for me that I may have otherwise spent my entire career trying to open. If you aren't utilizing social media as a community banker, I highly encourage you to do The Arkansas Banker | March 2016 so soon.

29% LinkedIn

14% Instagram

14% Pinterest

Follow us on Twitter @ArkBankers Like us on Facebook!

The Arkansas Banker Arkansas Bankers Association

Tracy French President & CEO Centennial Bank You can definitely make assumptions based on your posts, but most importantly social media provides a look into your bank’s personality.

How can community banks with limited staff maintain their social media presence?

Only by having a dedicated person on-staff or hiring a thirdparty to handle it. If it isn’t on one person’s job description to manage and maintain, it won’t get done on a regular basis or, if it does get done regularly, it will likely not be well planned out to achieve specific goals and objectives. Of course, this means understanding that it takes more than a few hours a week to do this well. If someone already has enough responsibility to account for the majority of a 40 hour week and you just add social media on top of their current duties, it will likely create problems.

What is your advice to banks who are still hesitant about having a social media presence?

Don’t do it until you are ready to do it right and to do it consistently, but recognize that you are on social media whether you are involved in the conversation or not. Seek experienced marketing counsel to understand all the ins and outs, if you don’t have that expertise in-house.

How do you engage customers on social media?

Molly Carpenter FNBC Bank It's important to provide content that is pertinent to your communities. I guess that is really the thought process behind our strategy. By sharing things that people care about, it encourages conversation. I think there are a lot of great banks across the nation who have really gotten social media right. A few examples are my friends at the Citizens Bank of Edmond (Oklahoma) and the Bank of Ann Arbor (Michigan). If you aren't familiar with how they are taking social media to the next level, I highly encourage you to check them out. Every idea you have for customer engagement doesn't have to be a new idea, it just needs to be the best idea for your customers and your communities.

Our demographics are not anything like Edmond's or Ann Arbor's, but we are able to grab inspiration from what they're doing. There are a lot of other great banks out there if you're willing to look and connect.

Chukwukere Ekeh Citizens Bank & Trust Company We engage customers through a variety of methods by showing our different community involvement activities, running sporadic contests to win prizes with likes/hearts/RT’s to serve as entries.

Ryan Taylor Centennial Bank

Social Media Best Practices from the American Bankers Association Each social media platform has a different personality, which makes the way in which we use each platform different.

Because of the difference between what people choose to share and how they communicate through each platform, it's important to keep your message consistent with the personality of the platform.

Use social media to deliver information in a concise and innovative way.

Use hashtags and abbreviations to take the place of longer words, phrases, subjects or events. Because they are searchable, hashtags are a great way to make your presence known and see what others are saying on the topic.

Studies have shown that tweets and posts with links, photos, infographics, videos, and other visual elements receive greater levels of engagement.

Financial institutions are able to address privacy and security concerns through social media, which have been cited as top reasons customers connect with their banks online.

The one word answer is “personally”. We had an “Ugly Sweater” campaign with bank employees in December that customers and visitors voted the winner on. We like to show our personality from time to time. It isn’t always about banking and products. In truth, this is the ultimate question and the one that makes coming to work every day exciting.

Amanda Turner First National Bank of Wynne Engaging customers on social media relies on keeping information appealing, to the point and significant. We learned that posts with text only typically gets less than 100 views on Facebook, but posts with pictures that illustrate the point with less words do considerably better. We get customers involved and aware of our online presence through our monthly email newsletter. Our newsletter covers a variety of topics and one being what we’ve been up to the past month. One photo of staff cleaning up the highway or eating lunch with a school buddy will automatically link the customer to the complete album on our Facebook page once the photo is clicked. Out of all the topics in our newsletter (usually about four) the photos tend to have the highest click-through rate.

March March2016 2016 || The TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker

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125 Years of the Arkansas Bankers Association:

The Great Flood of 1927

Arkansas suffered a severe economic blow from the Flood of 1927, which put almost half of the state’s cropland under water. The Mississippi River remained at flood stage for a record 153 days from April through August that year; more than 350,000 people were affected by the floodwaters, more than 2 million acres of farmland was washed away, and nearly 100 Arkansans perished in the disaster.

The following is an article detailing ABA’s decision to postpone its Convention, originally slated for April 27-28.

It was a gloomy afternoon on April 19 when bankers gathered to render a decision on whether or not to hold the Annual Convention. Rain was pouring, the floods were rising, one by one the railroads were going out of business, highways were cut off, wires were down and almost out. The result of a telegraphic pole of our council men and group chairmen was read. They had been requested to wire their own opinions and the sentiment of bankers in their localities. All those voting “yes” were in localities not then reached or seriously affected by the cloud bursts or flood waters. The Convention was declared “off.”

The wisdom of this conclusion was confirmed as the dates of the Convention drew nearer, for the situation steadily grew worse. While conditions in and around Little Rock had improved and railroad service was partially restored during Convention week, it would have been exceedingly difficult and inconvenient for many bankers to come. In the midst of this disaster and widespread privations and suffering a Convention would have been decidedly out of place.

An aerial view of flooding in Lake Village in 1927.

The Impact on our Nation The following is an excerpt from Senator T.H. Caraway’s address at a celebration in honor of Secretary Herbert Hoover in Little Rock on June 5, 1927.

The waters that overwhelmed us came from a third of the states of this union, yet the caring for this flood has been treated as if it were a local problem and to be cared for by the local communities. It seems to have been forgotten that while loss incident to the flood and it threatened recurrence falls primarily on the people in the lower valley, that secondarily it affects the welfare of all the people in the United States.

Many hundreds of millions of dollars loaned rest for security for their repayment upon the lands recently submerged. This money has been loaned by the Federal Reserve Banks, by the Flood damage in downtown McGehee in 1927. After being pummeled by the muddy waters of the Mississippi River, many Arkansas towns, roads, and highways required significant rebuilding.

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The Arkansas Banker | March 2016 2016

Federal Farm Land Banks, by the Joint Stock Land Banks, and all other financial institutions through this country.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are invested in the securities issued by utilities, railroads, levee and drainage districts, by street and highway improvement districts within this territory.

In addition, more than a fourth of the spindles in America look to this territory for the raw cotton out of which textiles are spun, that give employment to hundreds of thousands of people in the mills north and east of us, and which furnish clothing for one-sixth of all the people of the earth.

A bit more than one-fifth of the cotton grown in America is grown on lands but recently inundated.

Sugar is a household necessity. One-half the cane sugar grown in America is grown on lands now under water. ...it is conceded that the people residing in the valley of the Mississippi and its tributaries, should the government give adequate protection, at public cost, against floods, would receive a special benefit.

The special benefit is only incidental, the real benefit is to the people as a whole.

INDUSTRY NEWS

It’s Time to Teach Children to Save! th

April 29 Marks 20 Annual Teach Children to Save Day It takes a village. As a hometown banker, you know that it truly does take a village to raise a child... and that local schools, businesses, and community organizations all have a stake in not only raising good kids, but also in creating good consumers.

April 29 is Teach Children to Save Day — take this opportunity to lead your community in its commitment to growing a money-savvy generation!

Established by the American Bankers Association in 1997, Teach Children to Save is a national campaign of banker volunteers to educate young people about the importance of developing a lifelong savings habit. Each year, Arkansas bankers join over 13,000 bankers from

across the country taking part in this nationwide effort to improve financial literacy. Entering its nineteenth year, the program has reached 7.2 million young people through the time and commitment of local bankers.

Banks can register to participate with the AmBA’s Teach Children to Save program, which gives them access to free resources, including presentation planning tools, lesson plans, media guides, and online training.

Once your bank is registered, volunteer bankers schedule classroom visits to help students explore the world of saving through hands-on lessons and activities. Lesson plans are available for a wide range of ages, and cover a variety of topics including the difference between needs and wants; identifying expenses, tradeoffs and ways to cut spending; returns on investments; and saving for unexpected problems.

Don’t stop at the classroom! There are Teach Children to Save resources that can be sent home to parents, or through local media outlets.

If you would like more information on Teach Children to Save Day, or would like to register your bank for the program, log on to www.aba.com/Teach.

experience direction

BKD National Financial Services Group Where are you headed? How do you gain a competitive edge when the only certainty is change?

BKD National Financial Services Group can help. Our 420 dedicated professionals can help you understand the issues and confront them with confidence so your institution can forge ahead with certainty.

Ryan Underwood // runderwood@bkd.com Gary Edwards // gedwards@bkd.com 501.372.1040 // bkd.com

March 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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MEMBER NEWS Simmons Bank to Sponsor Conference on the Future of the Delta Simmons Bank will sponsor a one-day conference on the future of the Arkansas Delta region on Thursday, April 7, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.

The conference, titled “The Arkansas Delta: Why It Still Matters,” is designed to help community leaders network with each other and discuss how towns can be managed in the face of a declining population base.

The conference will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. A catered lunch will be served at noon. There’s no registration fee, but those planning to attend are required to register in advance at www.simmonsfirst.com/delta.

Mountain Home Students Earn Banking Certificates

Thirteen business students from Mountain Home High School Career Academies earned their Principles of Banking Certification through Arkansas Bankers Association in December. The students were honored at an awards luncheon provided by Twin Lakes Community Bank at ASUMH – The Sheid.

Earning their certifications were: top to bottom - Logan Adams, Kyle Bodenhamer, Adrian Jackson, Samantha Bradshaw, Lydia Lagg, Brandon Belcher, Dominic Grimsdale, Amy McDonald, Bradley Manwarren, Mason Graves, Sierra Rose Villalvazo, Mandy Barnett; not pictured, Sierra Dye. Also pictured are TLC Bank Employees, Stephen Yates, Jeanell Vigna, and Marcus Walser.

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The Arkansas Banker | March 2016

“For years, many parts of east Arkansas have been losing population due to the mechanization of agriculture and other factors,” said George Makris Jr., the chairman and chief executive officer of Simmons First National Corp.

“Unfortunately, that trend has accelerated in portions of the Delta since the turn of the century. It’s time for those who craft public policy in our state to come up with a comprehensive plan for dealing with the problems associated with outmigration from the Delta.

“Simmons Bank has been proud to call Pine Bluff home since 1903. And we’re proud to sponsor this public policy conference in Pine Bluff that hopefully will spur efforts to come up with a coordinated approach to addressing the issues we face.”

The co-chairmen for the conference are Rex Nelson of Simmons Bank, Judge Raymond Abramson of the Arkansas Court of Appeals and Ritter Arnold of E. Ritter & Co. Speakers will include: Dr. John Kirk, the director of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Institute on Race and Ethnicity and the school’s Donaghey Distinguished Professor of History. Kirk will speak on the complicated history of race relations in the Arkansas Delta.

Mike Preston, the executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, who will speak on economic development in the Delta.

Greg Hamilton, a senior research economist, demographer and director of research at the Institute for Economic Advancement at UALR. Hamilton will speak on outmigration in the Delta.

The conference also will feature panels on health care, education, agriculture and economic development.

FNBC Collaborates With Local Elementary Schools to Offer Financial Literacy Program A July 28, 2014 article from Examiner. com speaks to what many experts, including the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, believe is a burgeoning problem for American families; “Financial realities impact the lives of nearly everyone. However, too many students emerge from schools largely uneducated about finance even while they are forced to learn math such as calculus, which is useless to the majority of the population.”

First National Bank of Crossett has decided to address the problem of financial illiteracy with a program called Student-Banking, which teaches children about the value of money; how to save it, spend it and invest it. FNBC President Gene Crawford says he believes the timing is right for this program because more and more educators are beginning to use the phrase financial capability rather than financial literacy.

“While financial literacy focuses on financial knowledge, the phrase financial capability couples the value of academic education with real-world experience, which is the basis of Student-Banking” Crawford said.

The Student-Banking program includes over 150 lessons and activities used in elementary schools and at home to help children understand the value of money

First National Bank of Crossett President Gene Crawford makes a classroom visit to a local elementary school for the bank's ongoing Student-Banking program.

and how it can be used to improve their lives now and in the future. Rather than grade-specific, the lessons become gradually more difficult allowing teachers and parents to match the appropriate learning difficulty with the individual child.

and children, including lessons, deposit ledgers and saving-bags for collecting and transporting money for deposit are provided through the Student-Banking sponsorship. Student savings can be deposited at school, or at an FNBC branch bank.

The real-world component has children managing their own savings accounts.

All the necessary materials for parents

The program was launched in January with “Bank Nights” at two local schools: Hastings Elementary and Anderson Elementary. FNBC customer service representatives will open a bank branch twice per month at each school. This gives students an opportunity to experience making a deposit with a bank employee — as if they came to a “real” bank branch.

"Bank Night" open houses at local elementary schools gave bank employees the opportunity to engage with both students and parents.

“We believe the Student-Banking financial literacy program defines FNBC’s dedication to community reinvestment.

In the long-run, developing financially literate children who grow to become financially responsible adults is a win for everyone including our bank,” said Crawford.

March 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Allen Joins ABA Jackson Named Arkansas Admin Assistant Bankers Association SVP/COO as The Arkansas Bankers Barry Jackson has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Arkansas Bankers Association in Little Rock. Jackson began at the Association on February 29, 2016.

In the SVP/COO role, Jackson will provide oversight to the processes and day-to-day operations of the Association, as well as essential support and leadership to the Professional Development, Communications, Government Relations, and Finance departments. He will also continue the Association’s commitment to providing its members various programs and services to meet the needs of Arkansas’s banking industry.

“Barry’s extensive experience in our banking industry – specifically his leadership in marketing and new products – will be a great asset to our members,” said Bill Holmes, president & CEO of the Association.

“I am confident that his expertise and leadership will help our Association fulfill its important responsibilities to support a strong financial sector, which is so crucial to economic growth in our communities and our state.”

Jackson has over 14 years of banking experience, leading customer focused

driven teams through retail and marketing delivery channels. He has extensive knowledge of market research and analytics, consumer relationship management, digital strategic positioning, product development, and media relations.

Prior to joining the Association, Jackson served as Vice President & Product Manager for Simmons First National Bank. Formerly, he was the Senior Vice President and Marketing Manager at Metropolitan National Bank. He has also held positions with AmSouth Bank and Regions Bank in Memphis, Tenn.

Jackson is a 2000 graduate of the University of Mississippi, Oxford, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing.

Originally from Jonesboro, Barry is the son of long-time Arkansas banker Ron Jackson and Susan Ferguson Jackson. He resides in Little Rock with his wife, Rachel, and children: Greer, four, and Connor, one.

ABA Joins Safe Banking for Seniors Campaign The ABA is joining the American Bankers Association Foundation’s Safe Banking for Seniors campaign.

Through this campaign, ABA will mobilize bankers across Arkansas to educate older Americans and their caregivers about elder financial abuse and how to prevent it.

“We’ve found that bankers are often the first line of defense against elder financial fraud from educating and advising customers to spotting the signs of abuse,” said ABA President & CEO Bill Holmes.

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Registered bankers will receive event materials, lesson plans, outreach tools and best practices through the AmBA Foundation. Lesson plans focus on the following topics: Identifying and Avoiding Scams; Protecting Your Assets by Preventing Identity Theft; Choosing a Financial Caregiver; and Acting as a Responsible Financial Caregiver.

Banks can register to participate in the initiative at aba.com/seniors.

The Arkansas Banker | March 2016

Association is pleased to announce the addition of Carol Allen as Administrative Assistant as of February 25, 2016.

In this role, Allen will act as the ABA’s receptionist and provide support for the association’s educational and government relations programs.

Allen comes to the ABA with a background in advertising and public relations, after having previously held the position of Public Affairs Coordinator at CJRW for almost 10 years.

Additionally, she has experience in the commercial real estate industry and the non-profit sector.

Brenda Scarbrough Named Professional Development Coordinator Brenda Scarbrough has been named Professional Development Coordinator for the Arkansas Bankers Association.

In this role, Scarbrough provides organizational support for all of the professional development events the ABA offers its members, including live events, in-house bank training courses and webinars. Her duties include the oversight of event registrations and on-site event coordination, correspondence with speakers and bankers, coordination of bank vendors and event sponsorships, and various administrative duties within the professional development department.

She supports the department’s mission of providing continuous learning and career, professional and leadership development to Arkansas bankers.

Scarbrough joined the Association in 2014 as the Administrative Assistant. She had previously taught in elementary public schools for twenty-five years.

BANKER NEWS & MOVES ARVEST HIRES WILLIAM FISHER AS SVP OF COMMERCIAL BANKING Arvest Bank announced that William “Will” Fisher has been hired as a senior vice president in the bank’s commercial banking division in Morrilton.

Prior to joining Arvest, Fisher was a location compliance inspector at Southwestern Energy. Prior to Southwestern Energy, Will spent 10 years at Petit Jean State Bank where he was a vice president and loan officer.

“Will is going to be a great asset for our customers in Morrilton and the community as a whole,” said Pat Murphy, community bank president for Arvest Bank in Conway and Morrilton. “He brings a great deal of experience to this position and is focused on supporting and growing this community. We are excited to have someone with Will’s experience join the Arvest team.”

Fisher is a native of Wynne. He earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and has lived and worked in the Morrilton area most of his professional career.

JOHN CRAIG JOINS BANCORPSOUTH BancorpSouth has announced John Craig has joined the bank as First Vice President, Commercial Lending. Craig brings 21 years of banking experience with a focus in commercial lending.

Craig is a 2009 graduate of the American Bankers Association National Commercial Lending School at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He received an Executive Master of

Business Administration degree from Troy State University in Troy, AL in 2005 and graduated from the School of Banking at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA in 2003. Craig received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK in 1994.

Craig’s community involvement includes service as a board member for Project Compassion, Inc. and a member of the Literacy Council of Western Arkansas.

“We are pleased to have someone as experienced and capable as John join our team as we continue our focus on serving our customers and growing our Fort Smith market,” said Jim Patridge, President of BancorpSouth’s West/South Arkansas Division.

WELCH PROMOTED TO SR. EXAMINER The Arkansas State Bank Department has promoted Johnathon Welch to Bank Senior Examiner.

Welch has been at the Bank Department since February 2013 and is a commercial examiner in the agency’s Northwest Arkansas office.

Prior to being hired at the Bank Department, Welch had served as a Trust Coordinator since January 2011 at Merchants & Planters Bank, Newport.

Welch received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, in December 2010.

A Bank Senior examiner must demonstrate the ability to deal with all situations and to conduct an examination without supervision. The institution that the examiner will be expected to examine will be more complex than those examined by a Bank Junior

Examiner and might present a broad spectrum of problems or challenges. The examiner must have the ability to analyze the institution completely in light of all relevant circumstances, and is expected to manage all aspects of the examination process.

This includes performing a pre-examination review to determine the scope of an examination, and preparing agendas for - and conducting - meetings with bank management and the board of directors.

Overall, a Bank Senior Examiner must be able to handle a wide variety of problems with very limited supervision. Another responsibility of this examiner is the training of examiners with less tenure.

HARRISON YOUNG AND KATHRYN HICKS TO LEAD CENTENNIAL BANK IN MOUNTAIN HOME Harrison Young and Kathryn Hicks have recently taken leadership roles at Centennial Bank in Mountain Home, according to Deana Osment, Division President NEA. “Harrison is a natural and welcome addition to our Mountain Home team,” said Osment. “His experience at Centennial Bank and his local connections have given Harrison a great start serving loan customers in the area,” added Osment.

“Kathryn has been with Centennial Bank for 17 years and certainly has the banking expertise to lead our Mountain Home market. Her experience in all aspects of retail banking will continue to be a great asset to our customers and our team,” said Osment.

Harrison Young, who will serve as Loan Officer, has 5 years of bank lending

experience. He previously served as Loan Officer in our Atkins and Dardanelle offices. His new responsibilities will include business development, as well as commercial and consumer lending.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and is a graduate of Mountain Home High School.

With 18 years of financial experience, Kathryn Hicks has been named Vice President and Market Leader. Her new duties include management of all banking activities and services provided in Mountain Home.

Hicks earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Memphis. She is a member of the Twin Lakes Human Resources Association and Twin Lakes Baptist Church.

She and her husband, Mike, have three grown children and have been residents of Mountain Home for 27 years.

Young and Hicks are located in Mountain Home’s main banking center at 665 Hwy 62 East.

Give your employees the recognition they deserve!

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

March 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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BANKER NEWS & MOVES FIRST NATIONAL BANK AT PARIS OPENS OZARK LOAN PRODUCTION OFFICE Jarrod Yarnell, President/CEO of First National Bank at Paris, has announced the opening of a Loan Production Office in the Bank’s new Ozark location.

The office will better serve the Bank’s growing base of loans in the region and will be staffed by banking veterans Mike Gibbons, Senior Vice President Lending, and Patti Rofkahr, Loan Assistant.

“We’ve placed the best loan team in the area in our new office,” said Yarnell. “With the increased demand for loans and banking in the region, this move better positions First National Bank at Paris for our customers.”

Mike Gibbons joins FNBP with an extensive background in banking.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of ArkansasFayetteville. He is a member of the Ozark Public Schools Board of Directors, Administration Board Chair of First United Methodist Church, a member of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Ozark Rotary Club and a graduate of Leadership Franklin County. He and his wife have two children and enjoy raising cattle, hunting and fishing.

Patti Rofkahr’s broad loan and banking experience will also complement the goals of the office. She was twice selected for a Quality Customer Service Award at her previous banking employer and volunteers extensively throughout the community including the Single Parent Scholarship selection committee, Relay for Life, the Cystic Fibrosis

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Foundation, Kiwanis Club and the Franklin County Literacy Council. She and her husband have two children and enjoy traveling and spending time with family.

native of Amarillo, Texas, Cantu graduated from Canyon, Texas, High School in 1981. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian ministry from Southern Arizona Bible College in 1984.

in Fort Smith. In June 2014, Rogers was promoted to Director of Sales. Arvest Asset Management changed its name to Arvest Wealth Management, effective Jan. 1, 2016.

“I am proud to be a part of the FNBP team. They are a small bank who still delivers highly personalized banking services with a hometown feel,” said Gibbons. “I’m looking forward to bringing their relationshipdriven banking experience to my friends and neighbors in Franklin County.”

Cantu has served on the Ozark Guidance Ethics Steering Committee, Presbyter of Gulf Latin American District for Assemblies of God churches, and was a Springdale school board member from 2008 to 2009.

Rogers’ current responsibilities as Director of Sales include regional management over AWM business in the Fort Smith, Little Rock, North Central Arkansas, Joplin, Mo., and Springfield, Mo., markets. He also serves as Sales Leader for the Regional Investment Officer team and oversees the Retirement Plan Services Group.

First National Bank at Paris’ Ozark office will be located at 1607 West Commercial Street and is anticipated to open in May 2016.

ARVEST BANK NAMES TWO TO SPRINGDALE BOARD Arvest Bank is pleased to announce that two local leaders have joined Arvest Bank in Springdale’s Board of Directors.

Springdale Pastor Eddie Cantu and Tyson Foods Executive Vice President of Continuous Improvement Russell Tooley have accepted seats on the bank’s advisory board.

“We at Arvest Bank are proud of our community bank status and depend on our local boards to keep important decisions based in the communities where we operate,” said Lisa Ray, President and CEO for Arvest Bank in Springdale. “Eddie Cantu and Russell Tooley are both men of integrity and leadership in Springdale, which means they are great additions to our Springdale board.”

Eddie Cantu is the pastor and founder of Centro Cristiano Hispano Assembly of God Church since 1995. He also serves as secretary/treasurer of South Central Hispanic District of the Assemblies of God. A

The Arkansas Banker | March 2016

He and his wife, Becky Cantu, have four children: Staci, age 26; Natali, age 24; Kati, age 22; and Nephtali, age 19.

Russell Tooley has worked for Tyson Foods Inc. for 30 years and has held positions in operations and human resources both domestically and internationally.

He graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in agriculture business and economics.

Tooley currently serves on the boards of directors for Jones Trust and the American Heart Association.

He and his wife, Diane Tooley, have two sons, Cody Tooley and Spencer Tooley. They all live and work in Northwest Arkansas.

ARVEST TRUST NAMES ROGERS AS PRESIDENT Donny Rogers has been selected to replace Diane Wells as Arvest Trust president following Wells’ planned retirement earlier this year, Arvest Wealth Management CEO Jim King announced today.

Rogers has been with the company since 2008, when he was an Arvest Asset Management Location Manager

Rogers will maintain those responsibilities for the immediate future, but his regional management duties eventually will be split between David Biliter and Brad Griffin.

Rogers will continue to work in Fort Smith.

“Donny Rogers has embraced the Arvest culture since the first day he started with the bank in October of 2008,” King said.

“Donny started with AAM as our Location Manager in Ft Smith and was subsequently promoted to a Director of Sales. Donny’s leadership in those roles and his passion for Trust make him a great choice to replace Diane as our Trust president. We look forward to Donny’s leadership of Arvest Trust in the years to come.”

Wells retired after more than 30 years with the company.

“Diane has contributed so much to Arvest and AWM over her 32 years of service,” King said.

“Starting many years ago as a Trust Administrator to her most recent role as our Trust president, Diane has been an important part of the growth of our Trust division at Arvest.

In addition to her leadership and Trust knowledge, Diane represents so effectively our Arvest culture. Diane will be missed, but I know I speak for everyone at AWM in wishing her all the best in retirement.”

BANKER NEWS & MOVES

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FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF FORT SMITH ANNOUNCES STAFF PROMOTIONS

and the Arkansas Consolidate School Improvement Plan. She and her husband have two children.

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Sam T. Sicard, President & CEO of the First National Bank of Fort Smith, announced the following promotions:

RESLER JOINS ARVEST BANK IN BENTON COUNTY

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K. DiAnn Hulsey has been promoted to AVP/ Call Center Manager.

Hulsey, who was previously an Assistant Cashier/Call Center Manager, attended the University of Arkansas – Little Rock. She is a member of Cavanaugh Freewill Baptist Church and is actively involved with the United Way. Hulsey and her husband have three children.

ADVERTISEMENTS For more information on advertising in The Arkansas Banker, please contact Traci Logsdon, Director of Communications, via email at traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org, or by phone at 501.978.3603.

Brad Walker has been promoted to AVP – Information Technology. Walker, who was previously an Information Technology Officer, holds a B.A. Degree in Information Systems from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. He volunteers his time with multiple charitable organizations, is a member of the River Valley I.T. Professionals, and enjoys hunting and boating. He and his wife have two children.

Josiah Cotner has been promoted to Appraisal Review Officer. Cotner, who was previously a Loan Review Analyst, holds a B.A. Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. He was active with Phi Beta Lambda and Sigma Belta Delta Chapters at UAFS and enjoys music, board games and disc golf.

The Arkansas

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

Stacy E. Hardgrave has been promoted to Assistant Vice President.

Hardgrave remains as a Branch Manager-Lavaca.

She volunteers for Step Up, Speak Out, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and Butterfield Retirement Home.

Hardgrave also works with the Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, the Lavaca Chamber of Commerce,

Arvest Bank is pleased to announce that Jeff Resler has accepted a position as Senior Vice President, Mortgage Loan Manager for Benton County effective April 1, 2016. He will be responsible for leading the residential mortgage teams for both Arvest Bank’s Siloam Springs and Benton County regions, which includes community markets in eastern Oklahoma and southwest Missouri.

Resler has more than 20 years of mortgage experience as an account manager and regional manager, most recently with Essent Guaranty of Radnor, Penn., and Republic Mortgage Insurance Company of Winston Salem, N.C. “Jeff’s knowledge of our market area will ensure that Arvest Bank continues to be the leading residential mortgage lender in Benton County,” said Bob Boehmler, Loan Manager for Arvest Bank in Benton County. “His wealth of experience promises to be a great addition as he works to passionately see that bank’s mortgage originators find the right mortgage product for our customers.”

A native of Edmond, Okla., Resler earned his Bachelor of Arts in public administration for the University of Oklahoma in Norma, Okla., in 1995 and was a football All-American playing for the Sooners on the offensive line He is also a graduate of the MVA School of Mortgage Banking in 1999.

While working for the Republic Mortgage Insurance Company, Resler served on the company’s Sergeants of Trust Board. He has served as a director on the board of the Oklahoma Association of Professional Mortgage Women and was treasurer for the Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers Association. He has also served on the board for the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association.

Resler and his wife, Anne Resler, have two children: Abby, age 17, and Grant, age 13. The family lives in Rogers and attends Fellowship Bible Church of NWA.

March 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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