Chairman’s Column

Optimism and a Pro-Business Environment

Optimism: a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome. How long has it been since you peered into the future of our industry with optimism? It’s been too long since I came away from a gathering of bankers believing the overall tone of a meeting was optimistic. But, at the recent National Conference for Community Bankers, where bankers from across the country gathered, the tenor was overwhelmingly and unquestionably positive. The impetus for newfound confidence in our industry’s future is multifaceted, but predominately rooted in anticipation of corporate income tax reform and, then, meaningful and impactful reductions to the regulatory burden that constantly strangles our ability to serve customers and fuel the economic growth so needed in our communities. At this juncture, neither of these reforms is a foregone conclusion, but the recent historical election and probusiness stance of the Trump administration are certainly fueling the expectation for reform and, with it, optimism. A glance of your newspaper or a couple minutes viewing of any cable news station will prove the environment in Washington DC remains divisive and volatile. But, while change to the DC environment may never be likely, the elections were an unmistakable call for more limited government and less regulation. Whether or not you completely agree with any candidate or political affiliation, the new mandate for less government and regulation across all sectors, coupled with Republican control of the executive and legislative branches, presents a unique opportunity to advance meaningful regulatory relief that will help our industry foster economic and job growth at the local level. Existence of an ounce of optimism and a probusiness environment, while tepid, create an

CHAIRMAN SEAN WILLIAMS President & CEO First National Bank of Wynne

SEAN WILLIAMS | CHAIRMAN First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne JUDY LAWTON | TREASURER Heartland Bank, Little Rock DAVE DICKSON | CHAIRMAN-ELECT Union Bank & Trust Co., Monticello ROBERT Y. TAYLOR | PAST CHAIRMAN The Citizens Bank, Rogers ABA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CATHERINE OWEN | VICE CHAIRMAN Eagle Bank, Little Rock BILL HOLMES | PRESIDENT/CEO Arkansas Bankers Association, Little Rock

PAT ANDERSON | GROUP 5 Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff PHIL BALDWIN | GROUP 2 Citizens Bank, Batesville JIM CARGILL | GROUP 2 Arvest Bank, Little Rock GENE CRAWFORD | GROUP 5 First National Bank of Crossett, Crossett DAVID DOWD | GROUP 1 Cross County Bank, Wynne TROY DUKE | GROUP 5 Gateway Bank, Rison DON GIBSON | GROUP 3 Legacy National Bank, Springdale CHRIS GOSNELL | GROUP 4 Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Magnolia SCOTT HANCOCK | GROUP 3 Centennial Bank, Fayetteville ABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JON HARRELL | GROUP 3 Generations Bank, Rogers DARWIN HENDRIX | GROUP 4 Bank of Delight, Delight J. MICHAEL JONES | GROUP 5 Merchants & Farmers Bank, Dumas CRAIG MOBLEY | GROUP 4 First Financial Bank, El Dorado WILSON MOORE | GROUP 2 Bank of America, Little Rock

JERRY MORGAN | GROUP 1 Focus Bank, Jonesboro RANDY SCOTT | GROUP 1 Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Blytheville JIM TAYLOR | GROUP 3 First Security Bancorp, Fayetteville LYNN WRIGHT | GROUP 2 Regions Bank, Little Rock

opportunity that we, for the good of our communities and industry, must fully embrace and share. Our message is a reflection of who we are and what we do, and, it’s a message that resonates when shared with consumers, lawmakers and regulators alike. And it resonates particularly when told from a customer impact perspective. I thank you for your commitment and service to our industry, and I encourage you to remain involved, or, if you’ve not been involved, please join in our efforts to share the message of Arkansas bankers! It’s a message of growing the economy, serving communities, encouraging innovation, and removing the impediments to serving our customers. The contributions across Arkansas of our banks are both tangible and intangible, and the impact we have on the vitality and viability of our communities is powerful. It’s a message worth sharing. We live it each and every day, and the time to share is now! I hope you’re making plans to attend the Arkansas Bankers Association Annual Convention in Little Rock, April 10th – 12th. The newly renovated Robinson Center is an exceptional venue, and our talented ABA team has worked tirelessly to produce an agenda sure to provide current and relevant information along with plenty of great times with friends from across the state. I appreciate the ABA team’s excellent work in putting together a terrific program, and look forward to seeing you in Little Rock!

ABA EMERGING LEADERS SECTION COUNCIL BLAKE FLETCHER | PRESIDENT Stone Bank, Little Rock JOHN ANDERSON | VICE PRESIDENT Malvern National Bank, Little Rock

EDUARDO ABRIL | GROUP 4 First State Bank of DeQueen, DeQueen NATALIE BARTHOLOMEW | GROUP 3 Grand Savings Bank, Rogers JOHN BOLLINGER | GROUP 3 Simmons Bank, Fayetteville BRANDON GENTRY | GROUP 1 Cross County Bank, Wynne ROBERT HARGIS | GROUP 5 The Citizens Bank, Monticello

BURT HICKS | GROUP 5 Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff BLAKE JOHNSON | GROUP 1 Evolve Bank, Jonesboro JAMES LYLE | GROUP 5 McGehee Bank, McGehee RYAN MOORE | GROUP 1 Centennial Bank, Jonesboro HUNTER NORTON | GROUP 3 First Security Bank, Fayetteville

Join us for the ABA Annual Convention

Haven’t registered for Convention? There’s still time!

Registration is easy! Just log on to www.arkbankers.org/ Convention.aspx to register online.

Any questions may be directed to Kami Coleman at 501.978.3614 or kami.coleman@arkbankers.org.

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

BEN RIDINGS | GROUP 2 Bank of the Ozarks, Little Rock RACHEL SCHWARTZ | GROUP 4 Farmers Bank & Trust, Texarkana SANDY STARNES | GROUP 2 The Citizens Bank, Batesville HUNTER WINDLE | GROUP 4 Malvern National Bank, Malvern