The Arkansas Banker October 2016

Washington Visit

Women in Banking Conference

Strategic Partners Directory

The Arkansas

Banker

Arkansas Bankers Association

Salute to Veterans

Volume C, No. 10 | October 2016 October 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!

NOVEMBER 2016 1

| CECL Workshop

Embassy Suites, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Bank professionals seeking to better understand the proposed changes to the impairment model for assets carried at historical book value

2–3

| Trust Conference

7–8

| Marketing Conference

14

| Bank Internal Audit Fundamentals

Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs Who Should Attend: Trust Officers, Wealth & Private Banking Directors, Senior Financial Advisors, Personal Bankers, Estate Planning Attorneys, Senior Level Executives, Portfolio Managers

15

| IT Audit for Financial Auditors

16

| Women in Banking Conference

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Internal Auditors, Managers, Executive Management, and Board Members

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Women in banking at all levels who want to increase their effectiveness and success on the job.

29–30 | Technology Conference

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: IT Officers, Technology Managers, Chief Information Officers, and IT Committee Members

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Anyone responsible for marketing, public relations, and advertising Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Internal Auditors, Managers, Executive Management, and Board Members

JANUARY 2017 10

| Loan Assistants & Processors Workshop

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Loan Assistants and Loan Processors, Credit Administration Supervisors, and other members of the bank’s loan support staff with credit administration responsibilities

11

| Asset-Based Lending

Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: CEOs, Chief Lending Officers, Commercial Lenders, Credit Administration Supervisors, Credit Analysts, and loan review staff

FEBRUARY 2017 1

| Human Resources Conference

Embassy Suites, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Human Resources Professionals & Consultants, Human Resources Compliance Officers, Training Specialists, Branch Managers, Community Bank CEOs, and Bank Legal Counsel

7

| IRA Advanced Update & Review

Little Rock Who Should Attend: Personnel in New Accounts, CDs, Trust, Investments and Savings Departments who are involved in the opening, selling, and administration of IRA accounts

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

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

The Arkansas

Banker Volume C, No. 10 | October 2016

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

EDITORIAL OFFICE

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

CONTENTS COLUMNS

DEPARTMENTS

Sean Williams

26 Member News 29 Banker News & Moves 31 Classifieds

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Annual Washington Visit: Slow and Steady March for Regulatory Relief

By Ava F. Roberts

18 2016 Marketing Conference

SUBSCRIPTION

FEATURES

19 Deal Only with Decision

Makers to Avoid Wasting

Your Time

MAGAZINE RATES

By Jeff Slutsky

20 The Three Biggest

Secrets Leaders Keep

By AmyK Hutchens

22 Self-Evaluation

Inspires Excellence

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

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

Chairman’s Column

31 Index of Advertisements

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.

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.

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Bill Holmes

25 Industry News

ADVERTISEMENT

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

President’s Column

EDITORIAL

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

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By Honey Shelton

24 2016 Women in

Banking Conference

COVER STORY

ABA Salute to Veterans Honoring banker veterans from across the state ...

See page 12

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Building & Retaining Talent At our recent strategic planning meeting, the Board discussed the importance and need to encourage the next generation of young people to consider a career in banking. With consolidation in our industry and the aging of our community boards and executive suites, it is imperative for the future of our industry that we be proactive in seeking out bright, young people to fill these roles. As a result, I’m pleased to announce that we have partnered with DD&F Consulting Group and some of our member banks to start an initiative.

One of our long-time consultants suggests that we rewrite some of our job descriptions giving candidates a better idea of what is exciting about that position. For example, a manger in an emerging market requires different skillsets than a manager in a high-end, stable market.

For the emerging market manger why not stress the entrepreneurial skills, the feel of starting a new business, the potential to expand the communities’ growth to entice top applicants?

Or ask your top new talent to rewrite their job descriptions to highlight their best talents.

To quote Randy Dennis, “We want to reach out to college students by providing speakers to colleges and universities to talk with them about community banking and the opportunities for professional career paths that exist in banking today. It is our goal to encourage and inspire these young people to enter the field of banking and to become bank leaders for tomorrow.” As a part of this initiative, several of our member banks are offering internships for college students to learn, first hand, what banking is all about. If you want to be involved with a college near you please reach out to us, or to Randy.

Internships can also build a bank’s talent pool.

Expectations for the role of an intern probably need to be raised to a more purposeful level. The interns themselves want more meaningful work experience. Take time to work with your local 2-year or 4-year college or university. To help with building an internship program in your bank we have just put out a new guide, The ABA Internship Program and Overview Handbook. It is available on our website.

The purpose of the ABA Internship Program is to provide a practical and intensive training to students who genuinely desire to work in the banking industry. Students will be able to apply

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 F. ROBERTS

BARRY JACKSON

SVP/COO 501.978.3613 | barry.jackson@arkbankers.org

KAMI T. COLEMAN

VP/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 501.978.3614 | kami.coleman@arkbankers.org

TRACI LOGSDON

VP/DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 501.978.3606 | ava.roberts@arkbankers.org

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 501.978.3603 | traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org

JESSICA SAHENE

BRENDA SCARBROUGH

MARKETING COORDINATOR 501.978.3609 | jessica.sahene@arkbankers.org

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PRESIDENT & CEO BILL HOLMES

The TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker || October October2016 2016

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

the information gained in the classroom, build work history, expand professional skillsets, and lay the foundation to a career in the banking industry. Banks benefit with fresh ideas from readily equipped interns, completion of important projects that may have been put on hold, and solutions for recruiting Arkansas’s next generation in banking.

The ABA Internship Program provides the framework necessary for Arkansas’s Banking Industry to take the next step in creating and expanding a new generation of banking talent.

The link to the program booklet on our website is: https://www.arkbankers.org/ ABA/Resource_Center/Internship_ Program.aspx; or go to our website and click on Resource Center and then Career Center for further information.

program to show the leaders of tomorrow how current leaders are facing and handling the challenges of today. Make a commitment to grow the relationships between your veteran performers and your emerging leaders.

Just as important as recruiting new bankers, however, is programs such as our Emerging Leaders Section and our annual Leadership Conference. Through these two functions we can begin, grow, and refine the development of potential leaders already in our banks. These programs are a big part of the ABA’s commitment to making leadership development a priority.

Equally important will be the commitment of each individual bank.

Hands-on training and mentoring will grow the necessary qualities of determination, willingness to work hard and the culture of banking. Your enthusiasm to spend time and effort developing the talents of your young bankers will be the key to succession planning. Consider starting a mentor

Here at the ABA, we are adding more resources and training opportunities for the youngest generation of bankers. We are working to promote banking as an exciting, fulfilling and vitally necessary career. Our industry is facing a talent crisis. Lingering reputational issues left over from the financial crisis have contributed to competition for toptier graduates. In order for banks to be the best, strategic plans must include recruitment and retention of the best.

One of the top ways to build retention is to engage employees by investing in their growth through training and recognition.

It demonstrates your confidence in those individuals - both to them and to others.

Training and retraining our own internal talents may provide more value than externally recruiting from other banks.

SEAN WILLIAMS | CHAIRMAN First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne

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

Eagle Bank, Little Rock

JUDY LAWTON | TREASURER

ROBERT Y. TAYLOR | PAST CHAIRMAN

BILL HOLMES | PRESIDENT/CEO

Your help is needed to reach out to schools in your area and promote the internship programs to the administration and students. Through the partnership with DD&F Consulting, we hope to cover every school in Arkansas by mid-2017.

We are excited about this new initiative and hope that other ABA members will consider internships to help us to reach out and cultivate bankers for the next generation.

ABA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Heartland Bank, Little Rock

The Citizens Bank, Rogers

ABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PAT ANDERSON | GROUP 5

DAVID DOWD | GROUP 1

CATHERINE OWEN | VICE CHAIRMAN

Arkansas Bankers Association, Little Rock

JON HARRELL | GROUP 3

JERRY MORGAN | GROUP 1

Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff

Cross County Bank, Wynne

Generations Bank, Rogers

Focus Bank, Jonesboro

PHIL BALDWIN | GROUP 2 Citizens Bank, Batesville

TROY DUKE | GROUP 5 Gateway Bank, Rison

Bank of Delight, Delight

DARWIN HENDRIX | GROUP 4

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

JIM CARGILL | GROUP 2

DON GIBSON | GROUP 3

J. MICHAEL JONES | GROUP 5

JIM TAYLOR | GROUP 3

Arvest Bank, Little Rock

Legacy National Bank, Springdale

Merchants & Farmers Bank, Dumas

First Security Bancorp, Fayetteville

GENE CRAWFORD | GROUP 5

CHRIS GOSNELL | GROUP 4

CRAIG MOBLEY | GROUP 4

LYNN WRIGHT | GROUP 2

First National Bank of Crossett, Crossett

Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Magnolia

First Financial Bank, El Dorado

SCOTT HANCOCK | GROUP 3

WILSON MOORE | GROUP 2

Centennial Bank, Fayetteville

Regions Bank, Little Rock

Bank of America, Little Rock

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN Watching Our Teams in Action An outstanding group of Arkansas bankers attended our Annual Washington Visit September 20-22. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the banks and bankers who made the trip and invested their time and effort representing and furthering the cause of our industry. In interactions with both our delegation and the national regulatory agencies, bankers shared specific examples of the devastating impact of overreaching regulatory burden on both consumers and the communities we serve. We told our stories, and in spite of the snail’s pace progress of regulatory relief, it’s imperative that we continue to “go” and “tell” so that those making decisions on behalf our industry are informed of the realities of crushing regulatory burden. We live and operate in an environment where advocacy isn’t optional, and we were very well represented in Washington in September.

It’s now October, and I absolutely love this time of year! Growing up on the farm endeared me to harvest, cooling temperatures and the gorgeous fall foliage of Arkansas. And then there’s football season! Whether it be high school games on Friday nights, college on Saturdays or the NFL on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, etc., I’m always engulfed by the sport this time of year and, as my girls say, “Dad is in the zone!”

I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I do know there’s a lot about football, and other types of teams too, that parallel and teach us about both work and life. Things like the will to compete, excelling or failing as it relates to teamwork, giving

your best effort on behalf of both yourself and others, and the will and then action of overcoming adversity are just a few that come to mind. In banking, we certainly identity with these parallels because we’re all part of local teams competing and doing our best to serve our families, communities and shareholders to the best of our ability.

On a larger scale and as Arkansas bankers, we’re doing those exact things on behalf of our industry: competing, working together as a team, giving our very best efforts and relentlessly moving forward while overcoming adversity. In having the privilege to serve as your chairman this year, I have a front row seat in seeing OUR team competing….. and excelling! From the tremendous ABA staff, to Arkansas bankers who are competing with one another daily from across the street, we’re working together for the benefit of our industry and, ultimately, our communities. Sure, from an industry perspective, there remains a tremendous amount of competition, and adversity is everpresent and undoubtedly will remain in our future.

But with the passion I see among bankers for our industry adjoined to the continuous display of the aforementioned parallels of successful teams, I believe there’s a lot of winning ahead for our industry!

CHAIRMAN SEAN WILLIAMS President & CEO First National Bank of Wynne

In closing, I want to say thank you to Bill Holmes, Barry Jackson, Ava Roberts, and Stuart Davis for the excellent planning, organization and shepherding of our group in our nation’s capital.

Your efforts are appreciated.

Have a great October…enjoy the games!

ABA EMERGING LEADERS SECTION COUNCIL

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Stone Bank, Little Rock

BLAKE FLETCHER | PRESIDENT

JOHN ANDERSON | VICE PRESIDENT Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff

GEORGE PURVIS | SEC./TREAS. Cornerstone Bank, Eureka Springs

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

BURT HICKS | GROUP 5 Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff

HUNTER NORTON | GROUP 3 First Security Bank, Fayetteville

NATALIE BARTHOLOMEW | GROUP 3 First National Bank of NWA, Rogers

BLAKE JOHNSON | GROUP 1 Evolve Bank, Jonesboro

BEN RIDINGS | GROUP 2 Bank of the Ozarks, Little Rock

JOHN BOLLINGER | GROUP 3 Simmons Bank, Fayetteville

MATT LAFORCE | GROUP 2 First Security Bank, Searcy

RACHEL SCHWARTZ | GROUP 4 Farmers Bank & Trust, Texarkana

BRANDON GENTRY | GROUP 1 Cross County Bank, Wynne

JAMES LYLE | GROUP 5 McGehee Bank, McGehee

SANDY STARNES | GROUP 2 The Citizens Bank, Batesville

ROBERT HARGIS | GROUP 5 The Citizens Bank, Monticello

RYAN MOORE | GROUP 1 Centennial Bank, Jonesboro

HUNTER WINDLE | GROUP 4 The Malvern National Bank, Malvern

The Arkansas Banker | October 2016 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!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 It’s Time for a TRID Check up 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Problem Prevention on the Teller Line 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

W-9, W-8BEN, and W-8BEN-E 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Basic Bankruptcy for Bankers 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Top 50 Most Important Safe Deposit Procedures – 2016 Update 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Writing An Effective Credit Memorandum 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Scripting the New Account Interview for Compliance 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Robbery Procedures, Counterfeit and Fraudulent Items 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 BSA Emerging Issues 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Surviving a Critical Incident: Protecting Human Capital 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Revised Servicing Rules 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Understanding and Managing the CFPB Complaint Process 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

What To Do When a Customer Dies 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14 The Major Performance Factors for Success in Banking 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Introduction to Commercial Lending: Part 2 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Employment Records and How To Keep Them 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Ratio Analysis To Determine Financial Strength 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Lending 101 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Dealing With Appraisals: Regulations and Requirements 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Compliance Perspectives: A Monthly update 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Opening High Risk Customer Accounts: More Is Better 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Opening Accounts for High Risk Customers 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Introduction to Commercial Lending: Part 2 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Successful Sales Strategies for Lenders 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Teller Compliance Issues: CTRs, Reg CC and Checks 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Assessing Diversity Policies & Practices: Final Interagency Statement 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 SSN, EIN & ITINS & IRS Deposit Reporting 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

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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Annual Washington Visit

Slow and Steady March for Regulatory Relief

by Ava F. Roberts, VP/Director of Government Relations

The Arkansas Bankers Association made its Annual Washington Visit September 20-22. The three-day trip began in the private dining room of Bobby Van’s Grill. Our group mingled with chiefs of staff and banking liaisons from our Congressional Delegation, as well as Senator John Boozman and Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Bruce Westerman, and Steve Womack, before dinner sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank.

This was a fantastic way to start a whirlwind trip—especially having the opportunity to visit with the Arkansas Congressional Delegation in such an intimate setting.

After dinner, several bankers gathered for a special opportunity: Congressman Westerman personally led an evening tour of the Capitol. The Congressman escorted bankers to many parts of the Capitol not accessible on regular tours, including venturing onto both the House and Senate floors.

Wednesday morning started bright and early when the bus arrived at 7:15 to taxi the group to the American Bankers Association for briefing and breakfast. We were updated on the current status of the Tailor Act, PACE Loans, and TRID. During this meeting, Emerging Leaders received a packet of information, explaining the value of Washington visits as well as how to be an outspoken constituent and the value of grassroots.

Our next meeting was with the FDIC, where we met with Chairman Marty Grunberg, who opened his statements with the declaration that the state of the banking industry, especially the community banking industry, is under-appreciated.

According to the Chairman, there has been a period of gradual but sustained recovery in almost every measure since 2010.

The Chairman spent a bit of time explaining the importance of banker stories:

Emerging Leader Tyler Davis and Rex Nelson dine with Congressman Rick Crawford, during the group’s opening dinner Tuesday evening.

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Community banks play a vital role in communities and we think it is important for community banks to tell that story.

He stressed that bankers do not have to tell a negative story to justify federal regulatory relief and instead focus on the positive ways bankers impact their communities. That way, when these positive stories are shared, a banker may share how federal regulation inhibits that good work. It is vital to realize even the Chairman of the FDIC appreciates the impact of bankerconstituent stories for regulatory relief.

The OCC meeting was next. During this meeting, we discussed ways the OCC try to scale for community banks, as well as factors when determining Ability to Repay. Several bankers shared customer stories to demonstrate how regulation impacts their communities. One OCC staffer asked for one of our bankers to submit more information regarding his story so he could look into the matter. This discussion was followed by the request from OCC that bankers bring ideas and ways to scale down regulation to their attention. Whether or not these ideas are utilized, it is important to recognize that regulators are not only interested in listening to banker stories, but also asking for input other than the comment letters that were required by law.

The OCC meeting was immediately followed by a briefing from the FHFA, who regulates Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. This meeting was led primarily by FHFA; however, they offered little insight as to the regulatory relief for bankers.

The American Bankers Association welcomed us back to their offices for our meeting with two representatives from the CFBP. They were very interested to hear the impact of payday lenders on Arkansas consumers, unaware that payday lenders have been

Emerging Leader John Anderson visits with Congressman Steve Womack over dinner at Bobby Van’s Grill on Tuesday evening.

The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

Legislative staffers network with bankers at Sonoma Wine Bar during ABA’s annual reception on Wednesday evening.

Annual Washington Visit Attendees

Congressman Bruce Westerman personally led a tour of bankers through parts of the Capitol not usually seen by tourists.

You may recognize the view on the right from popular TV shows, such as Netflix’s House of Cards.

The American Bankers Association provides ground-level insight before the ABA’s regulatory and congressional visits.

FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg and ABA Chairman Sean Williams listen to Randy Scott share a customer-impact story.

Toney Bland, Senior Deputy Comptroller for Midsize & Community Bank Supervision at the OCC, discusses ways the OCC attempts to scale processes for community banks.

Sean Williams, ABA Chairman First National Bank of Wynne Dave Dickson, ABA Chairman-Elect Union Bank & Trust Co. Commissioner Candace Franks Arkansas State Bank Department Eduardo Abril, Emerging Leader First State Bank of DeQueen John Anderson, Emerging Leader Relyance Bank Jim Cargill Arvest Bank Brad Chambless Farmers & Merchants Bank Tyler Davis, Emerging Leader Diamond Bank Blake Fletcher, Emerging Leader Stone Bank Tom Grumbles First Service Bank Eric Haar Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Warren Jennings Arkansas County Bank Sen. Bruce Maloch Farmers Bank & Trust Rex Nelson Simmons Bank Randy Scott Farmers Bank & Trust Sandy Starnes, Emerging Leader The Citizens Bank Bill Holmes Arkansas Bankers Association Barry Jackson Arkansas Bankers Association Ava F. Roberts Arkansas Bankers Association October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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statutorily prohibited from doing business in Arkansas since 2006.

CFPB was focused on forthcoming regulation and did not address the cost of constant regulations to industries, including consumers.

After the final meeting, a bus carried our group to Sonoma Wine Bar for the annual Congressional Staffer Reception. This event allows bankers the opportunity to network and mingle with the young people who write legislation and conduct banking business for our federal delegation. This networking event allows bankers to exchange contact information with these staffers, who are eager to get banker input on pending bills. It is a favorite event among the ABA Washington Visit attendees.

Representative Rick Crawford talks to bankers during the annual Legislative Breakfast Panel.

The next morning, our group arrived at the Capitol by 7:45 to sit down to breakfast with Arkansas Congressmen in the Canon building.

As always with this Delegation, the conversation was positive and insightful on the matters relative to community banks.

Arkansas bankers are very lucky to have Congressman Hill to provide awareness of bank industry issues and we appreciate our other congressmen who heed to his input. During this meeting, Kyle Hayptman, Executive Vice President of Main Street Growth Project, explained his organization to us and asked for stories. Each of our Congressmen were very careful to emphasize that we should not expect movement for congressional mandated regulatory relief before the end of the year; instead, they explained that what we do now, sharing stories and providing bill drafting input, is how we can best serve our industry until the new administration takes office.

Representatives French Hill and Steve Womack speak to bankers during the annual Legislative Breakfast Panel.

Two of Congressman Hill’s staffers ushered us through the tunnels under the Capitol to the Senate. Senator Tom Cotton was in a meeting, so a staffer escorted our group outside of the conference door for a brief, informative gathering. His staff remained after the Senator returned to his meeting to get more information from us regarding bills of interest to the banking industry. As always, Senator Cotton’s staff was enthusiastic and helpful.

From there, we headed to our final meeting in Senator Boozman’s office. The Senator and two of his staffers sat down in his office to discuss bills of interest to our industry. One banker shared his recent issue concerning SBA’s impact on his bank’s poultry lending. Senator Boozman was very interested and insightful regarding potential assistance with this matter. This banker is one of several Arkansas bankers with this concern, so the Senator’s assistance will be far reaching and very welcome.

Senator Tom Cotton speaks with bankers on Capitol Hill.

The in-person meeting of banker and Senator was very impactful— the Senator was able to hear the story first-hand, ask questions, and discuss potential solutions.

While some bankers get frustrated at the lack of regulatory relief, what we must keep in mind is the slow march. Every trip we take to Washington is a step in the slow march toward federal regulatory relief. We must all be mindful of the multiple facets of regulatory relief: 1. Retaining our bank-friendly delegation 2. In-person visits to Washington 3. Participation in Advocacy efforts, such as calls for banker stories and writing comment letters when our Federal Regulators ask.

Tom Grumbles, Sandy Starnes, and Sean Williams take a ride on the United States Capitol Subway System.

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

Our next trip to Washington will take place March 20-22, 2017 during the American Bankers Association Government Relations Summit.

We hope to see you there!

Click here to see more photos from the Annual Washington Visit!

Arkansas Bankers Association meets with Senator Boozman in Washington. Pictured are, from left, Barry Jackson, ABA; Eduardo Abril, First State Bank of DeQueen, DeQueen; Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne; Ava F. Roberts, ABA; Randy Scott, Farmers Bank & Trust, Blytheville; Warren Jennings, Arkansas County Bank, DeWitt; Tyler Davis, Diamond Bank, Ashdown; Sandy Starnes, The Citizens Bank, Batesville; Senator John Boozman; John Anderson, Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff; Dave Dickson, Union Bank & Trust, Monticello; Bill Holmes, ABA; Tom Grumbles, First Service Bank, Greenbrier; Brad Chambless, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Stuttgart; and Blake Fletcher, Stone Bank, Little Rock.

guided by principles

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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Arkansas Bankers Association

Salute to Veterans

The Arkansas Bankers Association is proud of the 20,000+ men and women who work within the Arkansas banking industry and the dedication they have to making our hometown banks successful. Many of those individuals have not only served their communities and banks, but also our country. We would like to recognize all of these banker veterans, active and reserve military personnel, and families for their service, sacrifice, and contributions to our nation.

On the following pages is a listing of the brave men and women that have sacrificed to keep this nation free. We hope you’ll join the ABA in this celebration of our banker veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Augusta Bill Patton, President, River Wind Bank Served 1971-1973 Thailand, Vietnam War

Batesville Helen Shaw, Corporate Security Officer/Facilities Manager, The Citizens Bank Served 1988-1992 Italy, Saudi Arabia, Gulf War Robert Taylor, Executive Credit Officer, The Citizens Bank Served 1969-1972 Vietnam

Beebe Stephanie Weithman, CSR, First Security Bank Served 1989-2000 Operation Desert Shield & Desert Storm

Bentonville Sonny Delgado, Community President, Integrity First Bank Served 1992-1998 Bermuda & Stateside

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

Conway Jerry Cooper, Courier, First Security Bank Served 1969-1971 Vietnam

Crossett Anthony McCuiston, Universal Banker, First National Bank of Crossett Served 1983-1987

Fayetteville Roy Brinkley, IT Systems Administrator, Signature Bank of Arkansas Served 1989-1991 Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Desert Shield, Desert Storm Richard “Dick” Kehoe, VP of Account Managers, Priority Bank Served 1966-1970 Vietnam Bruce Loftin, EVP, First State Bank Served 1969-1971 Vietnam

Banker Veteran Spotlight:

Bill Patton

Years of Service: 1971-1974 Countries / Wars Served in: USA and Korat AFB, Thailand ‘72-’73/ Vietnam era

Branch / Rank: SGT What compelled you to serve your country?

Dr. H.D. McCarty, Director Emeritus, Priority Bank Served 1955-1988 Cold War Joshua Wheatley, IT Director / Information Security Officer, Signature Bank of Arkansas Served 2001-Present Operation Iraqi Freedom

Fort Smith David Burton, AVP/Commercial Lending, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1989-1993 Desert Storm Luke Forsgren, Teller, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 2015-Present Malea Hendrickson, Branch Manager, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 2007-2012 Stateside Cindy Horine, Teller, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1979-1982 Stateside Sam Jordan, VP/IT Support Systems, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1972-1976 Vietnam Era Bailey Julian, Purchasing/Mail Room Coordinator, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 2004-2008 Germany, Operation Iraqi Freedom Jestin Morse, Teller, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 2015-Present Brian Reed, Statement Mail Clerk, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1992-1996 Israel, Italy, France, Greece, Bahamas, Malta, Spain, Ukraine

Joining the military was the most logical thing for me to do after high school graduation for several reasons...first and foremost, my draft number was low! I also had not decided what career path or college major to choose, and this decision gave me time to deal with that as well as the GI benefits to help with college costs.

What was the most rewarding experience of being in the military?

The most rewarding experience was being a part of a team effort to make a difference in our country and in others.

Share one of your most memorable military experiences…

Experiencing for the first time as an 18-21 year old the Northern Lights in Alaska in February, and the monsoon seasons of South East Asia.

Another stand-out memory was when I discovered that my Valentine package from my girlfriend (now my wife) had been opened with the intention of detonation by the bomb squad in a field, because it was “ticking” slowly by the time it had traveled (and been tossed around) from the U.S. to Thailand. It was a box containing a pair of Valentine-themed boxer shorts and a wind-up plastic heart with the words “My Heart Beats for You”!

(The heart had started beating somewhere along the trip to Thailand rather than waiting until the box was opened by ME as planned!)

How has your military experience shaped your career in banking?

The leadership skills of teamwork and taking responsibility for my own actions. Also, the military provided the benefits through the GI Bill for me to attend college and get the education I have used in my banking career.

What does patriotism mean to you?

Patriotism was more clearly defined for me after serving my country. My own military experiences, added to what I knew already from history, gave me a renewed and permanent sincere appreciation for the service and sacrifices of so many for our country and the freedoms we enjoy.

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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Donnie Youngblood, Receiving Clerk, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1971-1974 Stateside

Greenwood Ed Wilkinson, President, Farmers Bank Served 1991-2010 Bahrain, Guam, Japan

Helena T. Larry Delk, Director, Helena National Bank Served 1959-1962 Stateside June Johnson, Administrative Specialist, Helena National Bank Served 1987-1991 Stateside Charles Roscopf, Director, Helena National Bank Served 1946-1948 WWII Jeffrey Steele, Vice President, Helena National Bank Served 1977-1995 Germany, Turkey, United States

Hot Springs Rafael Martinez, AVP/Commercial Lending, Relyance Bank Served 2000-2007 Operation Iraqi Freedom, Purple Heart Recipient

Jacksonville Darren Barry, SVP, Chief Information Officer, First Arkansas Bank & Trust Served 1979-1987, 1989-1991, 2000-2010 Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, Global War On Terror Ernest LaPaglia, LAN Computer Operator, First Arkansas Bank & Trust Served 1993-2013 Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom Antoinette Payton, Customer Service Representative, First Arkansas Bank & Trust Served 2007-2015 Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom David Wilson, Senior Network Administrator, First Arkansas Bank & Trust Served 1985-2005 Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Global War on Terror

Jonesboro Wayne F. Bond, SVP/Lending Manager, Simmons Bank Served 1971-1978 Arkansas Army National Guard, 875th Engineering Battalion

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

Barton “Scott� Kiesling, Credit Administration Specialist, Simmons Bank Served 1969-1972 Vietnam Era Ronald McDaniel, SVP/Financial Advisor I, Simmons Bank Served 1972-1974 Vietnam Era/Stateside

Little Rock Larry Brown, EVP/CCO, One Bank & Trust Served 1971-1972 Curtis Fowler, CSR/Teller, First Security Bank Served 2001-2007 Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Italy, Stateside ShaRhonda Fox, Customer Support Specialist I, Simmons Bank Served 2010-Present Stateside Quintessa D. Jackson, Teller, Simmons Bank Served 2013-Present Stateside Chris Klein, Trust &Wealth Management Assistant, First Security Bank Served 2006-2010 Stateside Linda McDaniel, Consumer Loan Underwriter, Simmons Bank Served Served 1972-1975 Vietnam Era/Stateside Boyd Rothwell, SVP, First National Bankers Bank Served 1968-1970 Vietnam Bill Scholl, President, First Security Bank Served 1965-1973 Stateside, South Vietnam

Lonoke Angie Gorbet, SVP Lending/Human Resources, First State Bank Served 1981-1987 Stateside Randy Joslin, VP/CTO, First State Bank Served 1976-1996 Germany, Italy, Korea, Egypt, Somalia Jacob Ward, Data Processing Clerk, First State Bank Served 2012-Present Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom Rick Worrell, AVP/CTO, First State Bank Served 1992-2013 Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq

Banker Veteran Spotlight: Magnolia

Janee Sweeney

Charles Fowler, Sr., Facilities Administration, Peoples Bank Served 1960-1985 Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Italy, Korea

Years of Service: 1987-1992 Countries / Wars Served in: Japan, Korea, Philipines,

Bobby Heinze, Information Security Officer, Peoples Bank Served 2000-2008 Operation Iraqi Freedom

Branch / Rank: U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal E4

Mammoth Spring Edward L. Stahlman, VP/Commercial Loan Officer I, Simmons Bank Served 1968-1969, 1972-1985 Southeast Asia, Stateside

McGehee Charles Lloyd, Loan Officer, McGehee Bank Served 1964-1995 Panama, Operation Just Cause James Lyle, Network Administrator/ISO, McGehee Bank Served 2000-2008 Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom

Mena Janeé Sweeney, CIO/SVP, Union Bank of Mena Served 1987-1992 Japan, Korea, Philippines, Australia, Bahrain, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Persian Gulf War

Mountain Home Chester Kowalksi, Network Administrator, Integrity First Bank Served 1984-1988 Japan, South Korea

Pine Bluff James P. Allen, Jr., Computer Operator II, Simmons Bank Served 1981-1984 Greg T. Berry, Trust Specialist III and Officer, Simmons Bank Served 1974-1980 Heather J. Berry, Assistant Branch Manager, Simmons Bank Served 1995-1997 Stateside

Australia, Bahrain, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Persian Gulf War

What compelled you to serve your country?

My Dad did three tours in Vietnam as a Marine, and three of his brothers served in the Marines during that time. Growing up. I always admired the pride they had in their service and love for our country. They shared a brotherhood with every Marine they met that I did not fully understand at the time, but knew was special. I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than me that would push me beyond my limits. Becoming a Marine and serving my country fulfilled that dream.

What was the most rewarding experience of being in the military?

The Marines gave me a new family that I am still very close to almost 30 years later.

I still talk to the brothers and sisters that I served with, and continue to meet new people through a bond that has no filter or boundaries.

Share one of your most memorable military experiences…

I had so many great experiences, and many that pushed me far beyond my limits — those are the ones that taught me the most about myself. One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences happened just after returning from deployment: I was part of a skeleton crew working on the main base as most of our unit was deployed on various exercises. The day was quiet and we were getting our gear unloaded when a call came in that one of our planes was coming in for an emergency landing with total hydraulic system failure. The pilot landed safely and I was asked to lead a crew to get the plane back in the air as quickly as possible so it could take part in a mission critical exercise. I accepted, but knew that a repair of this magnitude was way beyond any I had ever tackled on my own. After working with a great team and having the support and confidence of our maintenance officers, the plane was back in the air in under 24 hours. Our squadron motto was “can do easy.” Although we always seemed to “do,” it was not always “easy.”

How has your military experience shaped your career in banking?

I was fortunate to serve with some great mentors. Not long after joining my unit, a seasoned Gunnery Sergeant made a comment about the field I worked in (aviation hydraulics & pneumatics) that I has stuck with me: “I have forgotten more than you have learned.” I think back to this often as I work with some wonderful people who have many more years experience in banking than I do, and it reminds me to look to them for guidance every day.

What does patriotism mean to you?

I didn’t fully appreciate how fortunate we are to live in the U.S. until I served outside our borders. We live in a great nation where our everyday freedoms like travel, education, and career choices are often taken for granted. Respecting and honoring those who have paved the way for our freedom and continuing their endeavors to keep this country great by demonstrating loyalty to our nation is part of the daily life of every patriot.

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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Deborah F. Brown, Computer Operator I, Simmons Bank Served 1977-1981 Japan, Stateside Bennie J. Butler, Facilities Maintenance Technician, Simmons Bank Served 1950-1956 Korea Marty D. Casteel, EVP, Chairman & CEO, Simmons Bank Served 1974-1978 Vietnam Era/Stateside Janice Fuller, Switchboard Operator, Relyance Bank Served 1983-1993 Linda Howell, Bank Operations Specialist I, Simmons Bank Served 1974-1977 Vietnam Era Richard Metcalf, EVP/Wealth Management, Relyance Bank Charles “Tony� Ogles, IT Support Specialist III, Simmons Bank Served 1996-2000 East Timor Phillip Smith, VP/Consumer Lending, Relyance Bank Terry M. Smith, Facilities Maintenance Technician, Simmons Bank Served 1957-1962 Stateside Wilbert T. Thornton, Facilities Maintenance Technician I, Simmons Bank Served 1960-1966 Turkey Charlie Whorton, Risk Management Specialist I, Simmons Bank Served 2005-2011 Japan, South Korean Territorial Waters, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Australia, Libyan Territorial Waters, Italy

Pocahontas Bryan Dalton, Loan Officer, River Bank Served 2007-2011 Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn

Rogers John T. Hampton, Chairman/CEO, First Western Bank Mike Fair, Vice President/IT, First Western Bank Justin Teague, Credit Analyst, The Citizens Bank Served 2010-2014 Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom

Russellville Johnny Morgan, Director & Former President, First State Bank Served 1972-1974 Vietnam

Searcy Melvin Brown, Statewide Supplies, First Security Bank Served 1962-1966, 1977-2003 Vietnam James Dixon, Systems Engineer, First Security Bank Served 1988-1994 Paul Ording, Fed Line Processor, First Security Bank Served 1990-2013 Desert Storm, England, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Germany Henry Pool, Technology Center Bookkeeping Department, First Security Bank Served 1962-1965 Vietnam

Springdale Chasa Crockett, Teller Manager, First Security Bank Served 1992-2005 Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Bosnian War Tim Hargis, Vice President, First Security Bank Served 1971-1973 Vietnam Don Gibson, CEO, Legacy National Bank Served 1970-1971, followed by six years of Reserve Service Glen Plumlee, SVP/General Lending, Legacy National Bank Served 1972 Mike P. Taylor, Facilities Manager, First Security Bank Served 1966-1988 Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Greece, Germany, Turkey, Zaire, Senegal & others

Warren Gerald Dean Burton, Director, Warren Bank & Trust Served 1945-1946 WWII, South Pacific Carlton Davis, Director, Warren Bank & Trust Served 1964-1984 RUN 1969, Germany

West Memphis Murphy Smith, SVP/Marketing, Fidelity National Bank Served 1970-1972 Stateside Thank you to the banks who submitted names for the ABA Salute to Veterans! Know a banker veteran who was not listed here? Log on to www.arkbankers.org or email traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org to submit their information!

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

Banker Veteran Spotlight:

Means Wilkinson

In his own words, former ABA Chairman Means Wilkinson (1908-1991), Farmers Bank of Greenwood, shared his story of service in the book “War Across the North Atlantic.”

Wilkinson served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942 until the end of the war. Twice wounded, he was a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in battle at Gela, Cicily, and for the invasion of Italy. He was also awarded three battle stars.

December 7, 1941: It was a quiet Sunday in Greenwood. I had been to Presbyterian Sunday School as usual that morning after my usual heavy meal of slightly frostbitten turnip greens and corn bread. I had, as usual, pulled off my shoes and sat down to my Sunday afternoon radio program. But the program was not as usual. The Japs had just bombed Pear Harbor.

From that afternoon, my life, like the lives of millions of other Americans, emerged from a shell of lethargy. The next day war was declared. My living plans were smashed.

There wasn’t much I thought I could do in a strictly military way. I had never fired a gun except my 20 gauge during hunting seasons. My education and thinking had been in law and business and certainly not in military science.

I wrote the Army offering my services and my qualifications. After considerable correspondence back and forth with the office of the Judge Advocate General, they concluded they didn’t need me. The finance Division didn’t either. As for the Selective Service, I was in class 4-D by reason of my position as Speaker of the House of Representatives of Arkansas and was in no danger of the draft, but it was a nauseating feeling to see others go to camps or to Officers’ Training, and for me to be left behind. As cashier of the bank, I had taken over the war bond drives for my section of the country, but there was very little satisfaction in that sort of war effort when many of my friends were marching off to war.

It was Tom Harper who suggested that I contact the Navy... After several rounds of correspondence I was tentatively accepted for administrative work....I had at last succeeded, after many moths of effort, in obtaining a commission in the service (one of the more unromantic, but nonetheless difficult achievements of military energy).

One incident I think I shall never forget. The Chase, a very efficient coast guard transport, in order to bring us aboard, had transferred us from our LCM to one of their boars, which was secured to a pelican hook to lift us out of the water.

That was just as it was getting dark, As the seamen on the Chase’s deck who were working with us had pulled us about half way up the freeboard when the Germans suddenly flew over. Something caught in the block and tackle above, and the seamen who were manning it got nervous at the flares that were dropping all around us. Then a terrific amount of tracer fire illuminated the darkness like fireworks you’ve never seen. They tied up their lines, took cover, and left me with a boat full of casualties half way up the side of the ships with war going on all around me and no place for us to go.

There was only one thing for me to do, and that was for me to sit in the bottom of the boat and enjoy the show. Bombs were dropping within 50 yards of us. I would hear a whistle, or rather the scream of f the falling bombs. When they quit whistling I knew we hadn’t been it.

When the attack temporarily subsided, the seamen again accommodatingly appeared and this time hauled us aboard. This represented far and away the best ringside seat I ever had at any show.

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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Arkansas Bankers Association

Marketing Conference

November 7-8, 2016

The 2016 ABA Marketing Conference is slated for November 7-8 at the Crowne Plaza in West Little Rock. The ABA and the Sells Agency team up to host this informative two-day event centered on your bank’s marketing strategies. Featuring national speakers and experts on a range of topics as well as informative and practical round table discussions, this conference will help bank marketers stay ahead of current trends while connecting with other professionals in the field.

Featured speakers for this year’s event include Managing Director of The Venture Center, Gary Dowdy, and marketing entrepreneur Jeff Slutsky.

On the Agenda: FinTech Innovation & Industry Collaboration Building a Successful Partnership with the Compliance Department: A Marketing & Compliance Round Table Discussion The Influencer Booster Media Mix Round Table: Practical Advice on Wroking with the Press “Ask the Bank Executives” Round Table: What Bank Execs Really Want from Their Marketing Departments Who Should Attend Anyone within the bank responsible for marketing, public relations and advertising.

For More Information For more information, and to register, log on to www.arkbankers.org or email Brenda at brenda.scarbrough@arkbankers.org.

“ ” “ I recently graduated from the American Bankers marketing school but found this conference just as helpful...because the individuals that attended are in the same markets as myself and going through the same situations.

-Alicia Nixon, Relyance Bank 2015 Marketing Conference Attendee

This conference really helped me realize what needs to be focused on within the bank such as social media, research, etc. ...I was glad to meet other banks that were going through the same thing as us, such as new bank name, brand image.

Click here for details on the Marketing Conference!

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

- Karrah Partin, Heartland Bank 2015 Marketing Conference Attendee

Deal Only With Decision Makers To Avoid Wasting Your Time One of the most serious mistakes people who sell make is assuming they know if someone is or is not a decision-maker.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With a background in both advertising and public relations, Jeff Slutsky had an opportunity to practice what he preached when he became part owner of a night club and later a health club.

With the marketing dollars now coming out of his own pocket, he soon began to discover and develop result-oriented, low-cost tactics to build sales.

His “Street Fighter” marketing program has received national media attention including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Inc Magazine, and CNN.

Hear more from Jeff Slutsky at the 2016 Marketing Conference!

Several years ago, my wife was shopping for a car. She knew the type of car she wanted. She went online to do her research. She had her own money and her own credit rating and was buying this car herself. It was solely her decision. Yet, at the first two dealerships the salesmen refused to work with her until she brought her husband back with her. The third dealership treated her like a real customer.

The salesman took her for a test drive. They negotiated the final sale. That dealership not only got that one sale, but over the next several years that same dealership got seven more sales from her relatives.

One critical key to successful selling is to determine who is the real decision maker.

When calling on individuals who you think might be potential customers for your bank, don’t waste time with those who don’t have the authority to move their account or buy your products. Without talking to the decision maker, it’s infinitely more difficult to get a “yes.”

Sometimes, you may find that you are forced to deal with a decision influencer. For example, you may find yourself talking to the bookkeeper or comptroller of a given business.

That person may have the final authority to authorize the use of your bank for a particular service. However, that person would certainly “influence” those that can make that decision.

Just understand that you’re in a much weaker position at that point in the sales process. Yet, getting that “influencer” to advocate on your behalf is a critical part of that sales process.

Some representatives ask the question, “Are you the decision maker?” The problem is everyone feels they are a decision maker. But to get a more accurate response, rephrase your question like this: “Other than yourself, who else would you need to consult before making

the decision?” If they name someone else, then you have a good indication that you’re not dealing with the key decision maker. You now have determined the person you should be trying to deal with directly. It’s all in how you phrase your question.

Sales trainer Bill Bishop from Orlando, Florida, aptly illustrated the impact of using the proper phrasing of your questions. He told us the story of the young monk who asked the Abbot for permission to smoke his pipe when he prayed, but was turned down.

He then noticed an older monk smoking a pipe. Curious now, he approached the older monk and asked how it was possible that the older monk got permission to smoke his pipe during prayers when he was turned down.

The older monk took a long puff of his pipe and responded, “Well, my brother, when I approached the Abbot, I asked him an entirely different question. I asked if it was appropriate to pray while smoking my pipe. He informed me that any time was appropriate for prayer!”

Street Fighter Action Plan

Determine early on if you’re dealing with the decision maker.

If you’re dealing with a decision influencer, determine if it is possible to contact the decision maker directly.

If dealing with multiple decision makers or a committee, find out all you can about the players and their decision making process.

Provide each person involved with original promotional materials.

Ask permission to address the entire group or each individual.

Make no assumptions about decision makers until you gather the accurate information.

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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3

Biggest Secrets Leaders Keep

The

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AmyK Hutchens is the Founder of AmyK Inc., a firm specializing in leadership, innovation and sales Think Tanks. Recently awarded International Speaker of the Year

by Vistage UK (World’s leading CEO membership organization), author of the Amazon bestseller, The Secrets Leaders Keep, and a featured contributor for Entrepreneur magazine, AmyK is a catalyst for igniting brilliance in leaders. More than 45,000 executives in over nine countries have benefited from her keen insight and intuitive understanding of the issues leaders face.

Hear more from AmyK at the 2016 Women in Banking Conference!

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Looking in the mirror at the end of the day can be a painful endeavor for leaders. It’s that raw moment when they drop the “fake it till you make it” smile. They let their anxiety seep through their pores, and wonder out loud just exactly how much stress, frustration, life lessons and wrinkles they will physically endure before they hit their target numbers, shake hands with their next customer or get promoted to Bank President.

It’s that raw moment when leaders — and this may include you — come face to face with their secrets. These are the secrets you’d prefer no one else discover. And here, you may feel isolated, but you’re definitely not alone.

The reason you’re not alone is that everyone keeps secrets, and bank leaders are no exception. In fact, there are three specific secrets leaders share that prevent them from achieving greater success, faster: imposter syndrome, self-criticism fixation and comparison condition. When not addressed, these afflictions truncate success. When they are overcome, however, not only do they unleash potential but help leaders meet and often exceed their goals.

1. Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome occurs when leaders experience feelings of inadequacy and

The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

chronic self-doubt that persist even when a closer look indicates that the opposite is true.

Leaders often have the internal mantra, “I do not belong here. I’m not worthy of being taken seriously, and everyone will soon discover that I’m a fraud.” Unfortunately, many successful, smart, talented leaders believe they are neither good enough nor have enough to play in the coveted sandbox of “innovator and game changer.” They end up behaving poorly in an attempt to cover up their fears.

What’s more, those that fear being “caught” may avoid taking risks that could reveal their perceived inadequacies, or they’ll settle for less, not believing they deserve better than mediocre results, mediocre talent or average opportunities. Those fears undermine their success by manifesting real-life mistakes and self-induced failures.

When leaders replace their feelings of inadequacy and paranoia about being discovered a “fraud” with a healthier, more realistic assessment about their strengths and contributions, they build self-confidence. When they focus less on their skill gaps and more on how best to leverage their gifts and talents, they create new value.

How might your own self-doubts be inhibiting your ability to lead?

2. Self-criticism Fixation

A self-criticism fixation occurs when leaders are so hung up on their past transgressions that they can’t believe in their future excellence. Leaders are notoriously hard on themselves for early mistakes and failures. They often allow their perceived regrettable moments to cripple their potential or truncate their ability to successfully execute their next idea.

These hang-ups influence whom they hire and fire, how and when they make decisions and which relationships and partnerships they prioritize. They define themselves by mistakes instead of

assessing the knowledge they have gained from past missteps and identifying how they turned that knowledge into wisdom to avoid subsequent, similar mistakes.

Letting go of resentments and grudges against ourselves is perhaps more difficult than letting go of others’ trespasses against us. Yet, it’s imperative for leaders to do exactly that. The point is not to avoid accountability, it’s to accept responsibility for the lesson. Once leaders realize that business and life are long learning curves, they can more readily let go of past mistakes and more expediently and effectively bring fruition to their next big idea.

If you were to love your followers as you love yourself, should your followers be warned?

3. Comparison Condition

Comparison condition is one of the worst forms of leaders ‘ self-abuse. Many financial industry leaders are so busy comparing themselves to other bank presidents, investment firm gurus, big business CEOs and other industry leaders, living in a world of “should haves” and

“should bes,” that they lose focus on their own path to success. When leaders compare themselves this way, they end up taking detours by trying out other people’s paths. They dilute their talent and ultimately lose their mojo.

When that happens, they drift too far, often burn-out and lose their followers.

In contrast, staying on your own path is integral to focus, productivity, performance and results. It’s hard to charge full-steam ahead when you’re always looking sideways.

What have you done when a case of the “shoulds” hits you? How have you adjusted your internal conversation to be healthier and more supportive of your own ideas?

When financial leaders are willing to expose the secrets they keep — if only to themselves, and then work through them — they can positively and exponentially transform their bank’s success. Oftentimes, leaders say they pay a high price to chart a new course. And that price may well reflect the secrets they keep.

experience reach

BKD National Financial Services Group How will you get where you want to go? BKD National Financial Services Group helps approximately 1,200 financial institutions across the country manage change, stay compliant and make wise decisions. Experience how our insights can help you choose the right path to reach your goals.

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

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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Self-Evaluation Inspires Excellence

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

President of InterAction Training, Honey Shelton has 25 years of experience as a training and quality improvement consultant for banks and banking associations across the country.

Her banking background includes spending three years as Executive Vice President/Chief Retail Banking Officer with First Victoria National Bank.

Hear more from Honey Shelton at the 2016 Women in Banking Conference!

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The goal of every devoted leader is to gain the trust of the team and encourage excellence at every turn. The challenges and obstacles that come with leading and managing others often clouds the vision of even the most determined, wellintended leader. Just how do you go about developing trust, inspiring excellence, and fighting off derailment?

A good place to begin is to learn the art of self-evaluation. The person in your world that you can do the most about is you. Get to know you and what you want and examine how you go about doing what it is you want. Then, as objectively as possible, evaluate how that is working.

Leaders who become disciplined students of self-evaluation will become exceptional teachers of this all important selfmanagement approach.

Gaining the trust of your team demands that you work toward being consistent, helpful, and approachable with others.

It means choosing to model a code of conduct in the workplace that fuels a positive and inspiring environment. This doesn’t mean you can walk on water or become robotic, rather, it means that you have developed a plan around your thinking and behaving that targets your personal and professional goals. It means that you routinely evaluate if what you are doing is helping you obtain what you set out to do.

The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

If you don’t know what you want or get stuck in a rut that isn’t working, you will have to rely on luck. The odds are not in your favor when luck is your strategy, whether you are playing the lottery or leading others.

Questions to Ponder

Why do you, why do others, do what they do? Haven’t you asked yourself before “why did I or why did he/she do that?” Of course you have. We all have been perplexed by the actions and choices we have made or watched others make. As a student of the legendary work of Dr. William Glasser, noted author of many books based on his explanation of human behavior called Choice Theory, I have learned that we behave – believing consciously or unconsciously – that our choice will help us get what we want. Our wanting is our motivation.

What do you want to accomplish as a leader? If you were to accomplish what you want, what would be different? Who besides you would benefit? Take a pen and paper and go to work on this.

What will you need to do in order to accomplish what you want? Who do you know that you perceive as an accomplished leader? Ask the positive role models in your life to share what lessons they’ve learned.

In exploring your own work experience, what were the positive traits of leaders you’ve observed? What were the negative traits? Describe in detail the behaviors that you have witnessed that you admire or want to avoid.

This heightened self-awareness will be the hardest task in your quest to ace your job as a leader. If you are a sports fan, you have listened to commentary during a live event, especially on the radio, that described in complete detail what the player did. You could picture in your mind what was happening based on the commentary. You didn’t wonder what was happening, even though you couldn’t see it; you knew what was happening because the sports announcer described in vivid detail the behavior of the players, the coach, the crowd, the officials, etc.

This is a must for you! You must learn the looks, the gestures, the habits, the traits, the words, the actions you take or don’t, and the impact those choices have on the results you desire. You have blind spots, just like when you drive a car and those blind spots impair your vision. Finding a work around for blind spots will help you get what you want. That work around will include soliciting feedback from others that have a better view of what is happening than you do.

In sports, in the theater, and in all vocations that reach for excellence, self-evaluating performance is the key to becoming a master. Self-reflection for the sake of personal development is done without harsh judgment; it is done with the passion to learn what to keep doing, what to do more of, what to do less of, and what to stop doing.

How long a plan do you want to build? One year, five year, long term, short term? All well-run businesses have a strategic plan and a budget. You must adopt both of those best practices. These layout the picture of where you are going, how you will get there, what it will cost, and a calendar with deadlines and milestones to monitor.

Key content for your plan includes goals (wants), actions (choices, decisions, behaviors, practices), and monitoring (evaluating). Critical characteristics of a worthwhile plan include keeping the focus on you not others, putting the plan in writing, and keeping it close by. Treat it like your check register; neglecting to know where you stand at all times will create chaos and disappointment.

As you work your plan, keep in mind that power and value are synonymous in business. Our value is realized by our competency when delivered by a self-control method. When we choose to move away from self-control, the only thing that gets questioned is our competency. Managers or leaders that shout, berate, rant and rave, or demand, lose credibility and power within the organization. They forfeit trust among the troops.

Leading others is not for the faint of heart.

It takes courage you won’t think you have until you use it. You’ll acquire thicker skin than what you started out with, and more compassion and less judgment than you thought possible. Renew your enthusiasm when it wanes; you’ll need it in order to stay in hot pursuit of your goals.

You’ll reap countless rewards, so remember to express gratitude freely. You’ll get triggered by disappointment; even so, work to criticize sparingly. Teach what you need to learn. Own it when you mess up or make poor choices; this will foster the most treasured character trait of a fine leader, humility. Take your expertise to the next level. Become a perpetual student of selfevaluating and professional development so that you can leave the work world better than you found it.

Top Twelve Best Practices 1. Learn and use healthy boundaries.

2. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

3. Don’t react when you are too mad, too glad, or too sad.

4. Take note of how your emotions “act out.”

5. Practice what you preach.

6. Make it a rule to not play favorites; this misuse of power will never go unnoticed and will only set up a contest whereby everyone loses.

7. A leader who engages in gossip or refrains from putting a stop to it in his/ her presence will suffer from a lack of trust from the team.

8. Stand by your values even when it isn’t easy and avoid steamrollering others to get your way and pouting when you don’t.

9. Don’t dig yourself in too deeply when standing up for an issue, trying to get your way, trying to be heard, or trying to control the outcome.

10. Spend more time with people, less with things.

11. Ask yourself this question at least 3 times a day, “Is this the best use of my time?”

12. Use appropriate humor.

It lightens the work environment. Tolerating or using sarcasm, foul language, or cruel teasing will smother morale and destroy trust.

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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Women in banking November 16, 2016 Crowne Plaza, Little Rock

“ ” “

Click here for details on the Women in Banking Conference!

Join the Arkansas Bankers Association as we celebrate our state’s female bankers during the 2016 Women in Banking Conference on November 16, 2016. According to a 2015 survey done by the Arkansas State Bank Department, women represent 76% of all fulltime commercial bank employees in Arkansas; in those banks, women occupy 44.26% of all officer positions at the VP level or above, and 12.55% of all positions on the board of directors. This event is designed to bring together the unsung majority of Arkansas bankers for both networking and fellowship — to empower and inspire women at all levels of the Arkansas banking industry, giving you the opportunity to network, compare notes, and learn about personal development.

This year’s speaker line-up includes internationally-known author AmyK Hutchens speaking on leadership and effective communication; fourth-generation banker and community banking success story Jill Castilla of Edmond, Oklahoma; and popular seminar instructor Honey Shelton, who will delve into building stronger interpersonal relationships. There will also be a Women in Leadership panel featuring Arkansas bankers Connie Allmond, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Stuttgart; Cara James, Arvest Bank, Lowell; Lisa Ray, Arvest Bank, Springdale; and Donna Townsell, Centennial Bank, Conway.

On the Agenda: Ignite Brilliance in Your Leadership Coaching Yourself and Others — Build Your Roadmap for Success Started from the Bottom, Now We’re Here Speed Networking Round Tables Stretching for Success Women in Leadership Panel For more information, and to register, log on to www.arkbankers.org or email Brenda at brenda.scarbrough@arkbankers.org.

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

I enjoyed getting to spend the day with so many women in banking as we learned about how to advance ourselves in the profession. I also enjoyed the conversations around our responsibility to continue influencing change in our workplaces and in government, and to continue to bring other women along with us.

- Molly Carpenter, FNBC Bank 2015 Women in Banking Conference Attendee

The Women in Banking Panel was my favorite portion of the event; talk about some heavy hitters! I was thrilled to learn from them.

- Tracey Dennis, Relyance Bank 2015 Women in Banking Conference Attendee

INDUSTRY NEWS

Military Lending Regulations Expanded, Beginning October 3, 2016

By Richard S. Plotkin Editor, The Bankers Advocate Broader provisions of Military Lending Act of 2006 regulations, expanding specific protections to active-duty service members and their families, took effect October 3.

The final rule issued by the Department of Defense amending the implementing regulations of the Act addresses a wider range of credit products than the Department’s existing regulation.

The final rule was issued on July 22, 2015, and was effective on October 1, 2015.

However, lenders were required to comply with the rule for new covered transactions beginning on October 3, 2016.

The Act, among many other protections: Caps the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) on covered transactions at 36 percent.

Requires disclosures to service members and their dependents of their rights.

Prohibits creditors from requiring arbitration in the event of a dispute.

The final rule can be accessed at: https:// www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-07-22/ pdf/2015-17480.pdf The Act initially applied to a relatively narrow range of credit products, including payday loans, vehicle title loans with a term of six months or less, and taxrefund-anticipation loans The final rule defines “consumer credit” consistently with credit that is subject to the protections of the Truth in Lending Act.

Accordingly, protections apply to any “credit offered or extended to a covered borrower primarily for personal, family or household purposes, and that is subject to a finance charge or payable by a written agreement in more than four installments.”

As a result, the final rule applies to vehicle title loans of more than six months; installment loans; private student loans; unsecured open-end lines of credit; and credit cards.

The final rule does provide a temporary exemption for credit extended in a credit card account under an open-end consumer credit facility. The exemption for a credit card account expires, at minimum, in October 2017, but the rule permits that exemption to be extended for up to one year by the Secretary of Defense.

When effective for credit cards, the final rule excludes from the calculation of the Military Annual Percentage Rate reasonable fees tied to specific products or services. Under the final rule, a creditor would need to confirm that such a fee is “bona fide and reasonable” for that type of fee.

The changes to the definition of credit in the final rule bring within the scope of the regulations any closed- or open-end loan except: Residential mortgages, including purchases, initial construction, refinances, home-equity loans and lines of credit, and reverse mortgages.

Purchase-money loans secured by motor vehicles or personal property.

A creditor is required, under the final rule, to provide: A “statement of the MAPR” applicable to the extension of consumer credit.

Any disclosures required by Regulation Z. A clear description of the payment obligation of the covered borrower.

The Department of Defense estimates that there are approximately 238 million transactions each year in which creditors would provide the required information, generally included as part of their standard credit agreements.

Compliance risk can arise from the revised regulations, according to the Spring 2016 Semiannual Risk Perspective, issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on July 11, 2016.

“Banks need to review the loan products offered to determine whether the new MLA requirements apply and then must implement appropriate policies, procedures and systems to comply with the applicable requirements,” the Risk Perspective recommends.

The final rule states that credit agreements that fail to comply with its provisions are void. This means none of the terms of a contract would be legally binding.

Lenders can determine if a loan applicant is covered by the law by querying a Web site maintained by the Department of Defense.

Additional information is available in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Financial Institution Letter 37-2015 at: https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/ financial/2015/fil15037.html.

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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MEMBER NEWS

Revisions Made to Arkansas State Bank Dept.

Self-Examination Program The asset peer groups in the Bank Department’s self-examination program are being revised in response to industry growth.

The program is a monitoring tool for participating banks and regulators.

Participants complete a three-page input report monthly that includes balance sheet and income statement information.

The Department processes this information to generate eight reports that include ratios and other indicators of profitability; efficiency; risk-asset quality; liquidity - asset/liability management; and growth.

Two reports include a comparison of a participant’s performance with banks within its peer groups, based separately on asset size and main office location. Another report flags exceptions to established parameters.

There formerly were six asset peer groups, with the group of smallest banks being those with assets of less than $75 million and the group of largest banks having assets of $1 billion or more.

Effective with July 31, 2016, reports, the number of asset peer groups was reduced to five, as follows: Group #1: Less than $100 million Group #2: $100 million to $249.99 million Group #3: $250 million to $499.99 million Group #4: $500 million to $1.99 billion Group #5: $2 billion or more Also revised, effective with the July 31 reports, were the value of “earnings change ratios” used to calculate income statement gap measures. Such measures provide a basic indication of the exposure of a bank’s net interest margin to changes in market interest rates.

The term “gap” is used to identify the difference in the volume of ratesensitive assets and rate-sensitive liabilities subject to repricing within the same time frame.

In the self-examination program, earnings change ratios are applied to each category of these assets and liabilities to reflect the sensitivity of each category to changes in market rates. The degree of this sensitivity is based on a statistical analysis.

For example, among assets and liabilities maturing or repriceable within one year: A fixed-rate loan is highly sensitive to changes in market rates, while a municipal security is considerably less sensitive.

A certificate of deposit of $250,000 or more is sizably more sensitive to changes in market rates than a savings account.

Though strongly recommended, participation in the self-examination program is voluntary for most banks. Participation is required for de novo banks, banks that have converted to a state charter and banks under any type of enforcement action.

The self-examination program manual is available on the Department’s Web site at: http://banking.arkansas.gov/public/userfiles/Selfexammanual.pdf

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

ARKANSAS BANK DEPARTMENT

APPLICATIONS & APPROVALS

Branch Bank Application An application filed by Bank of Delight, Delight, Pike County, Arkansas, to establish a branch banking facility at 600 East Smith, Gurdon, Clark County, Arkansas, has been approved. September 9, 2016.

An application filed by Centennial Bank, Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas, to establish a branch banking facility at 2400 Aggie Road, Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas, has been approved.

September 27, 2016.

An application filed by the Merchants & Planters Bank, Newport, Jackson County, Arkansas, to establish a branch banking facility at 1621 West Beebe Capps Expressway, Searcy, White County, Arkansas, has been approved.

September 28, 2016.

Emergency Acquisition The emergency application filed by Today’s Bank, Huntsville, Arkansas, for the purchase and assumption of Allied Bank, Mulberry, Arkansas, has been approved.

September 23, 2016.

Anstaff Bank Redesigning Huntsville Branch

Anstaff Bank, headquartered in Green Forest, Arkansas, announced today that they are in the process of a complete remodel of its Huntsville branch to accommodate for growth in the market, according to Joe Paul James, Market President.

Located at 210 West Main Street, total square footage will more than double as it will take on a whole new design bank wide that will enhance lobby space for the customers and additional offices.

The new 3-lane drive thru will be conveniently located with easier navigation for auto-banking customers.

“This remodel has been in the planning stage for some time,” says James. “We’re excited to be able to offer our customers a more efficient and relaxed environment. Combined, all of the changes will mean a better banking experience for the customer.”

The remodel is expected to be completed by Summer 2017.

MEMBER NEWS

First Arkansas Bank & Trust Honored As U.S. Air Force 2015 Bank of the Year First Arkansas Bank & Trust has received a national award by being named as the 2015 Bank of the Year for the United States Air Force. The Department of Defense annually recognizes a bank for each of the branches of the military for their outstanding support to service members and their families. In making the presentation, Steven Lepper, President and CEO of the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) stated, “AMBA is pleased to provide a forum for the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force to recognize exceptional banks for their outstanding service in 2015. During the award presentations, all attendees were able to hear highlights of the outstanding financial services, support and education the banks provide to their communities.”

Accepting the award for FAB&T were Larry Wilson, Chairman, President and CEO, Mark Wilson, Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Rhonda Banks, Branch Manager of the LRAFB Branch, and Brian Kaelin, Vice President and Pulaski/ Lonoke Regional Manager.

While accepting the award, Mr. Wilson stated, “First Arkansas Bank & Trust has proudly served the Little Rock Air Force Base since its inception in 1956. Our first branch was in the original Base Exchange. While military members and their families have come and gone through the years, the one constant has been our

First Arkansas Bank & Trust was recently named the United States Air Force Bank of the Year. Accepting the award from Steven Lepper (center) were, from left, Mark Wilson, SVP and Chief Credit Officer; Larry Wilson, Chairman, President & CEO; Rhonda Banks, Little Rock Air Force Base Branch Manager; and Brian Kaelin, VP and Pulaski/Lonoke Regional Manager.

bank’s unwavering commitment to each member, their families, and the retirees who choose to remain in the area. We have a long history with the Base, and we are extremely proud to be recognized for our efforts.”

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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28

The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

BANKER NEWS & MOVES CITIZENS BANK PROMOTES LAURA BOYSEN TO OVERSEE RETAIL COMPLIANCE Laura Boysen has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Compliance - Retail for Citizens Bank, according to an announcement

by Phil Baldwin, Citizens Bank President and Chief Executive Officer. In this position, Boysen serves as the Retail Compliance Officer for all Citizens Bank locations.

“With more than 20 years of experience in banking and finance, Laura possesses the skills we need to lead our Retail Compliance team,” Baldwin said.

“As Citizens Bank continues to expand, we are pleased to have such a seasoned professional as Laura Boysen to oversee our bank’s compliance with state and federal banking laws and guidelines.”

Boysen has served in numerous positions within the banking industry, and joined Parkway Bank in 2011. Parkway Bank was purchased by Citizens Bank last year.

She is a high school graduate of Rogers High School and received her Bachelor’s degree from John Brown University in Siloam Springs. She is looking forward to attending the American Bankers Association National Compliance School this fall.

Boysen’s community service includes the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County, American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce. She also volunteers at Heritage High School, Lingle Middle School and Northside Elementary School.

She was the 2010 Rogers Lions Club’s “Lion of the Year.”

Boysen and her husband Travis, have three daughters (Taryn 15, Tinley 12 and Tielyr 8), and live in Rogers. They are active members of Rogers First Assembly of God Church.

GLADDEN PROMOTED TO MARKET PRESIDENT Will Gladden has been promoted to the position of Market President for Fayetteville at Signature Bank of Arkansas. As Market President, Will is focused on growing both the loan and deposit bases not only in Fayetteville but for all of Northwest Arkansas.

Most recently, Gladden served as a Vice President/Lending Officer.

Will began working at Signature Bank in 2007 and has over 11 years of banking experience.

He has a finance & real estate degree from the University of Arkansas. Will is on the Whytespyder Board of Advisors and the Fayetteville Future Fund Steering Committee. He loves to spend time on the lake with his wife Alex and their 2 year old daughter Kingsley.

“Will has been with the bank a very long time and is an important asset to the bank in our future growth. We are excited to see what he will bring in his new role with the bank” Gary Head, President & CEO.

STREETT NAMED SVP/LOAN MANAGER Crandall Streett has been promoted to Senior Vice President/ Loan Manger of Signature Bank of

Arkansas’s Fayetteville bank.

As Loan Manager, Crandall will lead a team of lenders focused on growing consumer and commercial loans in the Fayetteville area.

Most recently, Streett served as a Vice President/Lending Officer. Crandall began working at Signature Bank in 2007 and has over 10 years of banking experience. She graduated with honors from the University of Central Arkansas. She is also a recent graduate of Leadership Fayetteville Class 28 and Leadership Arkansas Class X. Crandall is a youth basketball coach at the Boys & Girls Club of Fayetteville and a member of Christian Life Cathedral of Fayetteville.

“Crandall has been a great asset for the bank for a very long time. She provides top notch customer service and we are excited for her to lead our loan team in the Fayetteville market.”

Gary Head, CEO President.

HEDMAN PROMOTED TO SVP/DEPOSIT OPERATIONS MANAGER Lori Hedman has been promoted to Senior Vice President/ Deposit Operations Manager of Signature Bank of Arkansas.

Most recently, Hedman served as Vice President/Deposit Operations Manager. Lori began working at Signature Bank in 2006 and has over 18 years of banking experience. She is an advisory board member at Heaven’s Reach Ministries and teaches 3 years olds at Christian Life Cathedral in Fayetteville.

Lori and her husband, Adam, have two young boys and enjoy watching them play soccer.

“Lori is vital to making our day

to day operations run smoothly and efficiently. Her happiness is contagious and we are excited for her to lead our deposit operations team.” Gary Head, CEO & President

CITIZENS BANK PROMOTES LISA DAVIS TO OVERSEE LENDING COMPLIANCE Lisa Davis has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Compliance - Lending for Citizens Bank, according to an announcement by Phil Baldwin, President and Chief Executive Officer. In this position, Davis serves as the Lending Compliance Officer for all Citizens Bank locations.

Davis, who previously served as Vice President and Loan Processing Manager, has more than 11 years of banking experience.

“This promotion recognizes the leadership that Lisa has displayed in developing an efficient and effective Loan Processing function for Citizens Bank,” Baldwin said. “Her dedication has played – and will continue to play – a vital role in the growth of our bank in the future.”

Davis began her career with Citizens Bank in 2009 as a commercial loan processor, and has consistently been promoted to more responsible positions within the Loan Processing Department. She is a graduate of Lyon College in 2003 with a degree in Business Administration.

She and her husband, Chris, have two children, Kaleah, 16, and Tyler, 8. The family lives in Drasco and attends Drasco General Baptist Church.

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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BANKER NEWS & MOVES WISE JOINS FIRST NATIONAL BANK AT PARIS LOAN TEAM Jarrod Yarnell, President/CEO of First National Bank at Paris, has announced the addition of Carla Wise as Loan Assistant.

She was previously in the same position for another regional bank.

“We’re pleased to welcome Carla to our loan department,” said Yarnell. “With the increased demand for loans and banking in the region, First National Bank at Paris is the right choice for consumers and Carla’s experience fits well with our growth.”

Wise graduated from County Line High School. She and her husband have two children and she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK AT PARIS HIRES SOSEBEE Jarrod Yarnell, President/CEO of First National Bank at Paris, has announced the addition of Steven Sosebee as Senior Vice President Lending, primarily serving Clarksville/ Johnson County. He will be working in the Loan Office in the Bank’s new Ozark location.

“We’re pleased to serve Clarksville and Johnson County more effectively. With Steven’s knowledge of those areas, we know we will be an excellent resource and partner for our customers,” said Yarnell. “Steven’s talents and experience will serve our customers well.”

Sosebee previously served as Community President for another regional bank. He is a graduate of the LSU School of

30

Banking and holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business from Arkansas Tech University.

He is the former chairperson of Clarksville Light and Water and a graduate of Leadership Johnson County. He is a member of the Arkansas Tech Agriculture Advisory Council and the Arkansas Tech University Foundation Board. Sosebee has two children and enjoys hunting, farming and golf.

“I am very pleased to join First National Bank at Paris, a small community bank still focused on relationship driven customer service” said Sosebee.

Marinoni attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In 2002, Marinoni was a founding member of the Holiday Island Rotary Club. She served on the board of the Carroll County Community Foundation from 2002 -2005. Marinoni was a Junior Bank Board Leader for Arvest Bank and participated in the Carroll County Relay for Life organization. Most recently, Marinoni has served on the Go Red for Women fundraising committee and volunteered with United Way.

GENERATIONS BANK NAMES MARINONI VP/MARKET SPECIALIST

RUDDELL, BAGWELL TO LEAD NWA, FAYETTEVILLE MARKETS

Mendee Marinoni has been named to the position of Vice President/ Market Specialist at Generations Bank in Fayetteville.

Generations Bank has announced the promotion of Joe Ruddell to Northwest Arkansas Regional President and the hire of Bryn Bagwell as Market President of Fayetteville.

As VP/Market Specialist, Marinoni will be responsible for the administration and daily operation of a full service branch office, including operations, lending, product sales, customer service, and security and safety, as well as customer relations and the development of new deposit and loan business for the bank.

Marinoni has twenty-three years of banking experience in marketing, mortgage lending and management. She previously worked at Arvest Bank in Eureka Springs before joining Generations Bank in 2006.

“Mendee has been an important part of our team in the Fayetteville market and we’re very proud of the dedication she’s exhibited that has earned her the position of VP/Market Specialist,” stated Jon Harrell, Chairman of Generations Bank.

The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

As Northwest Arkansas Regional President, Joe Ruddell will be responsible for business development in the Northwest Arkansas area, as well as assisting the Northwest Arkansas locations with budgets and loan growth. Ruddell previously worked at Arvest Bank before joining Generations Bank as Washington County Market President in 2014.

Ruddell earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics with an emphasis in Accounting from Hendrix College in Conway.

He earned his graduate degree from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Ruddell currently serves on the Board of Friends of YRCC. He also serves on the loan fund for Communities Unlimited, a water and wastewater loan fund that ensures low and

mid-income areas receive and maintain clean, compliant facilities.

“Joe has been a tremendous asset to our bank since he joined us,” stated Jon Harrell, Chairman of Generations Bank. “We are very excited about his focus on our Northwest Arkansas team and assisting us in increasing our market share and support in our communities.”

As Market President, Bryn Bagwell will be responsible for business development in the Fayetteville market, as well as commercial lending.

Bagwell joins Generations Bank with prior lending experience in Northwest Arkansas. She previously worked at Farmer’s Bank & Trust in Magnolia and most recently worked at Arvest Bank.

Bagwell earned her Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She attended the MidSouth School of Banking and American Bankers Association National Commercial Lending School. Bagwell served on the Fayetteville School Board from 2011-2015. She is involved with the Fayetteville Rotary Club and Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and previously served on the boards of both organizations. She currently volunteers with CASA of Northwest Arkansas.

“We are very fortunate to have Bryn join our team,” stated Harrell. “The experience and vast knowledge she brings will be a great asset to our bank and will assist us in expanding our footprint in Fayetteville and the Northwest Arkansas region.”

BANKER NEWS & MOVES

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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.

WILLIAMS JOINS STONE BANK AS SVP, CHIEF MARKETING & RETAIL BANKING OFFICER

MELANIE MITCHELL NAMED CSR AT WHITE HALL BRANCH Stone Bank Vice President and White Hall Market Manager Kelly Williams announced that Melanie Mitchell has been named a Customer Service Representative for the White Hall Banking Center.

Marnie Oldner, Chief Executive Officer of Stone Bank, has announced that Kirby Williams has been named a Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing & Retail Banking Officer of the Mountain View, Arkansas-chartered bank.

“I’ve worked with Kirby and he is a difference-maker, “ said Oldner.

“Our customers will benefit from his involvement in our product offerings and service delivery. We are excited that he agreed to join our team.”

Williams has worked in the banking industry in Arkansas, either directly for banks or as a consultant, since 1977 when he joined First National Bank in Little Rock (Regions) as Communications Director.

He was Vice President of Marketing at Arkansas Bank & Trust in Hot Springs (Regions) and later served as Executive Vice President, Chief Retail Banking, Marketing and Operations Officer for Diamond Bank.

He was most recently owner of Kirby & Company, a marketing and branding firm in Hot Springs, which focused on bank and political clients. The company received multiple awards for its work from the American Advertising Federation, the Public Relations Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators and the Bank Marketing Association. He serves on the CHI St. Vincent Foundation Board and the Arkansas Educational Television Network Foundation Board.

The Arkansas

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

She was most recently a payroll clerk for Trotter Ford in Pine Bluff and has held positions with Central Moloney in Pine Bluff and First National Bank of Friendship, Tenn.

A new community banking center is under construction in White Hall and scheduled to open in February of 2017.

The bank is now located at 7197 Sheridan Road.

SANDY STRAESSLE NAMED CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER AT LITTLE ROCK OFFICE Sandy Straessle has been named Customer Service Manager for Stone Bank’s Banking Center in Little Rock.

Her banking experience includes several positions with Regions Bank in Little Rock including Senior Vice President of Retail Administration, which included supervision of 7 branches in West Little Rock, Teller Coordinator and Branch Manager. She was most recently a teacher at Our Lady of the Holy Souls School in Little Rock.

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2016-17 Arkansas Bank Directories now available. Contact Traci at traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org to place your order today!

October 2016 | The Arkansas Banker

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Order your new Arkansas Bank Directory today!

2016-2017

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CTORY

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARKANSAS FINANCIAL SERV ICES INDUSTRY

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2016-17 Arkansas Bank Directory Order Form

Arkansas Bankers Association 1220 West Third Street Little Rock, Arkan sas 72201 www.arkbankers .org

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Send this form to Arkansas Bankers Association, 1220 West Third Street, Little Rock, AR 72201; Fax 501.376.9243; or email traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org.

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2016

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