MEMBER NEWS Citizens Bank Commits Home BancShares, Inc. to Revitalization of Announces Appointment of Former Governor Beebe Downtown Batesville Citizens Bank has announced a comprehensive plan to revitalize Historic Downtown Batesville. to Board of Directors Home BancShares, Inc., parent company of Centennial Bank, announces the appointment of former governor Mike Beebe to its Board of Directors to fill a vacancy on the Board. “We continue to attract highly valued talent to our organization, including the addition of Mike Beebe to our Board of Directors,” said John Allison, Chairman. “Our Board aims to maintain both relevant skill sets and experience among its members, and we’re confident Mr. Beebe’s broad leadership experience, ability to collaborate and his long-time development and knowledge of business make him an excellent addition to what is already a strong and diverse Board.” “Being from Arkansas, Home BancShares is one of the companies I’ve followed since its inception,” Beebe stated. “I’ve been impressed with the tremendous growth this company has achieved throughout the years under the leadership of not only John Allison, but also the entire Home BancShares Board of Directors. It’s an honor to be selected to serve the Company’s shareholders alongside these Board members and become a part of the Company’s growth story.” Beebe currently serves as a director of Tyson Foods, Inc. and a member of the Governors’ Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center (“BPC”) in Washington, D.C. He is also Of Counsel for the Roberts Law Firm, P.A. in Little Rock, Arkansas. Beebe was the Governor of the State of Arkansas from 2007 to 2015 and the state’s Attorney General from 2003 to 2007, prior to which he served as a state senator for 20 years. Beebe began his law career in 1972, practicing law at Lightle, Beebe, Raney, Bell and Simpson in Searcy, Arkansas. From 1974 to 1979, he was a member of the Board of Trustees at Arkansas State University. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Arkansas State University in 1968, Beebe completed law school at the University of Arkansas while serving in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974.
Anstaff Moving to State Charter Anstaff Bank, N.A., headquartered in Green Forest, Arkansas, announced today its intent to convert from a national bank charter to a state-chartered bank, according to Steve Stafford, CEO. “The charter conversion is a strategic undertaking that we believe will enhance our operations long term,” said Stafford. “The OCC has been a good regulator for Anstaff for 85 years and I appreciate their help and guidance. But we feel the State Bank Department better understands our concerns and customers. We look forward to working with them and hope to have the transition complete by the end of June.” Anstaff Bank, N.A., is a full-service community bank with nine locations serving Green Forest, Huntsville, Jasper, Harrison, Kingston and Berryville. In 2015, Anstaff acquired Twin Lakes Community Bank, which has three locations in Flippin, Mountain Home and Norfork. First National Bancorp, Inc., parent company of Anstaff Bank, N.A., has combined total assets of approximately $540 million.
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The Arkansas Banker | May 2016
Phil Baldwin, Citizens Bank President and CEO indicated that, “Citizens Bank will support the Impact Independence Strategic Plan with the formation of a $10 million redevelopment fund comprised of low interest rate loans and grants.” Mr. Baldwin indicated that this is a promise from Citizens Bank to the Independence County community. “Historic Downtown Batesville will be redeveloped.” The announcement was part of an open house and progress report hosted by the Historic Melba Theater. The community was treated to a tour of the historic theater and heard a progress report on reconstruction activity. Additional important community announcements were provided by Main Street Batesville, with specific focus on the redevelopment of Maxfield Park and the Barnett Building Business Incubator Project. The Greater Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce provided an exciting update on the Impact Independence Strategic Plan Initiative. Impact Independence is the 10-year strategic plan for Independence County initiated in 2015 by Lyon College, the University of Arkansas Community College of Batesville and the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Citizens Bank Redevelopment Fund will specifically support the Impact Independence Strategic Plan and is comprised of: A $10 million low-interest rate loan fund to stimulate downtown economies and promote historic downtown redevelopment; and A $100,000 fund to provide cash grants to property owners, business owners and tenants with smaller business needs (painting, restoring exterior finishes and materials, signs, exterior lighting, awnings, sidewalk renovation, landscaping, etc). Mr. Baldwin concluded his comments with this statement, “I am excited that Historic Downtown Batesville will now have the ability to combine the vibrancy of a college community and the ambiance of a small southern town. My hope is for Historic Downtown Batesville to come alive again and provide family friendly entertainment with diverse and eclectic shopping, dining, arts, cinema, music and pubs; to become residential again, with loft apartments above and shops below; to be a place for all generations to gather, walk, bike or talk – a people gathering place for all of Independence County.”
