The Arkansas Banker October 2017

Women in Banking

Annual Washington Visit

Managing Time with Style

The Arkansas

Banker

Salute to Veterans Volume C, No. 10 | October 2017 October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

1

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Lending 101 Tuesday, November 7, 2017 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Fundamentals of Interest Rate Swaps and Caps: Part 1 Tuesday, November 7, 2017 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Violence in Your Workplace: Prevention & Response Wednesday, November 8, 2017 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Baby Boomers vs Millennials Wednesday, November 8, 2017 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Leveraging the Middle of Your Organization Thursday, November 9, 2017 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

7 Habits of Highly Successful Supervisors Monday, November 13, 2017 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

20 Legal Account Ownerships, Titles, & More Thursday, November 16, 2017 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Compliance Perspectives: A Monthly Update Thursday, November 16, 2017 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Leading the Prospecting Effort Tuesday, November 14, 2017 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Controlling the Risks of Power of Attorney Documents Thursday, November 16, 2017 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Flood Insurance: Compliance Issues and Enforcement Topics Tuesday, November 14, 2017 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cybercrime Trends and Hot Topics in Banking Thursday, November 16, 2017 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

HMDA 2018 Challenges with Taking Applications Part 2: Commercial Applications Tuesday, November 14, 2017 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Managing Generations in Today’s Workplace Friday, November 17, 2017 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Countdown to CDD Rules: Where Are You Now? Wednesday, November 15, 2017 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Commercial and Industrial (C & I) Lending in Today’s Competitive Market Friday, November 17, 2017 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

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

2

The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

The Arkansas

Banker Volume C, No. 10 | October 2017

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

4

Government Relations

6

Emerging Leaders Update

Ava F. Roberts Blake Fletcher

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.

DEPARTMENTS

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.

14 Arkansas Bank Aims to

Provide High Level of

Service for Military 18 Annual Washington Visit

FEATURES

By Ava F. Roberts

23 2017 Women in

Banking Conference

By Mary Crane

26 Rise of the vCSO: A New

Profession Emerges in the

Effort to Fight Cybercrime

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.

24 Managing Time with Style

MAGAZINE RATES

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.

29 Banker News & Moves

5 ELS Day with the Regulators

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.

SUBSCRIPTION

28 Member News

COVER STORY

By Toni Lapp

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

See page 8

October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

3

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Calling All Emerging Leaders: Day with the Regulators, November 16 We launched our initial Day with the Regulator in 2015 with such success, this event is now a bi-annual opportunity. Emerging Leaders from across the state can sit down with state and federal regulators in an intimate setting. The goal of this program is to remove some of the mystique surrounding the seemingly untouchable regulators and for our future banking leaders to learn, on a very basic level, how these regulators work together in our industry.

Our event is broken into three parts, which all take place the morning of Thursday, November 16. The first part, a Director Talk, will consist of agency heads who offer an introduction to and insight of their organization. Arkansas State Bank Department Commissioner Candace Franks, OCC Assistant Deputy Comptroller Rosalyn Anthony, and FDIC Assistant Regional Director Joe Meade will discuss their agencies and answer questions regarding their respective regulatory bodies. At this event, Emerging Leaders will receive insight and opportunities to ask questions of the Arkansas regulatory decision makers.

An Examiner Panel comprises the second

ABA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

part of our Day with the Regulator program.

Examiners from OCC, FDIC, Arkansas State Bank Department, and the Federal Reserve will describe their boots-on-the-ground role in our banks and take time for questions regarding their examination process. Our goal is to create a comfortable environment where Emerging Leaders may ask questions they may not otherwise have an opportunity to ask. There is much to learn from one-another, especially when it comes to regulatory-regulated roles.

The third component of our program is a keynote speaker provided by the Federal Reserve Little Rock Branch. In 2015, our keynote speaker presented a fantastic discussion of what constitutes a great leader. His real-world examples and references to obtainable books on the topic were a great way to wrap up a morning of this nature. This year, our keynote speaker will no doubt be just as insightful and relevant to our Emerging Leaders.

ABA strives to give our Emerging Leaders the tools they need to succeed. By bringing our local, state and federal regulators to our Emerging Leaders, we hope to emulate an approachable

learning environment for our attendees, and hopefully the regulators will get plenty of takeaways as well.

Day with the Regulator will be held Thursday, November 16, at the Federal Reserve Branch in Little Rock from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and is $50 for all attendees. Registration may be made by contacting Brenda Scarbrough at 501-376-3741 or Brenda.

Scarbrough@arkbankers.org.

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

CATHY OWEN | CHAIRMAN-ELECT Eagle Bank, Little Rock

Simmons Bank, El Dorado

JIM CARGILL | TREASURER

SEAN WILLIAMS | PAST CHAIRMAN

BILL HOLMES | PRESIDENT/CEO

Arvest Bank, Little Rock

First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne

ABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOHNNY ADAMS | GROUP 2

DAVID DOWD | GROUP 1

ROB ROBINSON IV | VICE CHAIRMAN

Arkansas Bankers Association, Little Rock

TOM GRUMBLES | GROUP 2

JERRY MORGAN | GROUP 1

First Security Bank, Conway

Cross County Bank, Wynne

First Service Bank, Greenbrier

Focus Bank, Jonesboro

PHIL BALDWIN | GROUP 2 Citizens Bank, Batesville

TROY DUKE | GROUP 5 Gateway Bank, Rison

SCOTT HANCOCK | GROUP 3 Centennial Bank, Fayetteville

LORI ROSS | GROUP 4 Citizens Bank, Arkadelphia

JEFF BRECKLEIN | GROUP 1

NATHAN GAIRHAN | GROUP 3

DARWIN HENDRIX | GROUP 4

JASON TENNANT | GROUP 3

Integrity First Bank, Jonesboro

United Bank, Springdale

Bank of Delight, Delight

Cornerstone Bank, Eureka Springs

GENE CRAWFORD | GROUP 5

DON GIBSON | GROUP 3

DAVID JESSUP | GROUP 5

LYNN WRIGHT | GROUP 2

First National Bank of Crossett, Crossett

Legacy National Bank, Springdale

DeWitt Bank & Trust, DeWitt

CHRIS GOSNELL | GROUP 4

WILSON MOORE | GROUP 2

Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Magnolia

4

VP / DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AVA FRANKS

The TheArkansas ArkansasBanker Banker || October October2017 2017

Bank of America, Little Rock

Regions Bank, Little Rock

EMERGING LEADERS

DAY

WITH THE

REGULATORS

Gain a stronger perspective on the inner-workings of regulatory processes with the ABA’s second Emerging Leaders Day with the Regulators.

We will hear from several regulators, including the Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, CSBS, and the Arkansas State Bank Department. Make plans to join other Emerging Leaders from across Arkansas at this exciting and informative event!

To register, log on to www.arkbankers.org, or contact Brenda Scarbrough at 501-376-3741.

Agenda LITTLE ROCK BRANCH

WHEN

Thursday, November 16, 2017 8:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE

Little Rock Federal Reserve Branch Stephens Building 111 Center Street #1000 Downtown Little Rock

8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Registration

8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

Breakfast and an Introduction to the Federal Reserve

9:15 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.

Arkansas Economy and the Federal Reserve

9:50 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Networking Break

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Meet the Directors Commissioner Candace Franks, Arkansas State Bank Department Rosalyn Anthony, OCC Joe Meade, FDIC

10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Examiner Panel with Q&A Wilks Marshall, Arkansas State Bank Department Chris Mercier, National, OCC Joe Meade, FDIC Ron Sisneros, Federal Reserve

11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Networking Break 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch with Keynote Speaker

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Emerging Leaders Anyone interested in gaining perspective on the regulatory process

SPACE IS LIMITED, REGISTER TODAY!

October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

5

EMERGING LEADERS UPDATE I wanted to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Arkansas Bankers Association and to give my thoughts on the Emerging Leaders Section. Over the past five years I have had the privilege to serve in the Emerging Leaders Section and for the past three years, I have been able to serve on the Executive Committee. I very much appreciate the Arkansas Bankers Association Board of Directors affording me these opportunities and allowing me to help give back to the banking community.

not for the Emerging Leaders Section. Getting a first-hand look of how Washington, D.C. works – and sometimes not – works, will be something that will not only help me in banking but in life in general. It is important for the bankers in the state to develop relationships with our Congressional Leaders and their staff. Most of the staff members are the same ages of the Emerging Leaders Section members and we can use these networking opportunities to benefit the banking industry.

I would encourage any young banker to get involved in the Emerging Leaders Section and to reach out to your group’s Board of Directors members if you have the passion to serve on the ELS Council and Executive Committee.

The past several years with the ELS have been very educational as well as entertaining for me. Getting to know the various bankers from across the state of Arkansas and having the opportunities to network with these bankers will be an asset I can use the rest of my banking career. The relationships I have had the chance to build with the amazing Arkansas Bankers Association staff is something else that will be invaluable to me.

Traveling to Washington, D.C. is not the only way to get involved with the Emerging Leaders Section. The ABA schedules a Day at the Capitol every other year to help us learn the workings of the Arkansas State Legislation. Along with several “Coffee and Committee” opportunities while the legislators are in session, these allow us to attend committee meetings on topics that might affect the banking industry. Personally, I have an advantage in attending these since I live and work in Little Rock, but I do suggest those who live outside central Arkansas take advantage of these opportunities provided by the Arkansas Bankers Association. Equally important as getting to know our legislators is getting to know our regulators. That is why the ELS hosts a Day with the Regulators every other year, scheduled for November 16th of this year.

It’s a great opportunity to meet face to face with our regulators, and hear what their hot topics are

On top of the relationships the ELS has brought to me, the experiences will be something I will never forget. I don’t believe I would have had the opportunity to attend the Government Relations Summit in Washington, D.C. if it were

ELS PRESIDENT BLAKE FLETCHER SVP / Senior Lending Officer Stone Bank Little Rock

as well as to talk to them about our concerns.

Again, I would like to thank the ABA, particularly Mr. Bill Holmes, Barry Jackson, Kami Coleman, and Ava Roberts. It has been a real pleasure getting to know everyone so well and I look forward to continuing to be involved with the ABA.

ABA EMERGING LEADERS SECTION COUNCIL Stone Bank, Little Rock

BLAKE FLETCHER | PRESIDENT

JOHN ANDERSON | VICE PRESIDENT The Malvern National Bank, Little Rock

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

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

Grand Savings Bank, Rogers

NATALIE BARTHOLOMEW | GROUP 3

BLAKE JOHNSON | GROUP 1 Evolve Bank, Jonesboro

RACHEL SCHWARTZ | GROUP 4 Farmers Bank & Trust, Texarkana

JOHN BOLLINGER | GROUP 3 Simmons Bank, Fayetteville

JAMES LYLE | GROUP 5 McGehee Bank, McGehee

SANDY STARNES | GROUP 2 The Citizens Bank, Batesville

BRANDON GENTRY | GROUP 1 Cross County Bank, Wynne

RYAN MOORE | GROUP 1 Centennial Bank, Jonesboro

HUNTER WINDLE | GROUP 4 The Malvern National Bank, Malvern

ROBERT HARGIS | GROUP 5 The Citizens Bank, Monticello

HUNTER NORTON | GROUP 3 First Security Bank, Fayetteville

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

6

The Arkansas Banker | October 2017 2017

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1/8/18 - 2/2/18 For more information about AmBA Training, log on to www.arkbankers.org or call 501.376.3741 October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

7

ABA

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 Dr. Lackey Moody, Board of Directors, The Citizens Bank Served 1968-1970 Vietnam 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

8

The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

Justin Teague, Credit Analyst, The Citizens Bank Served 2010-2014 Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom

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

Danville Michael Brannon, SVP, Chambers Bank Served 1977-1981 USS Pyro / U.S. 7th Fleet

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

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 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

Banker Veteran Spotlight:

RAFAEL MARTINEZ Years of Service: 2000-2007 Countries / Wars Served in: Iraq/ Operation Iraqi Freedom

Branch / Rank: Arkansas Army National Guard/ Staff Sergeant

What compelled you to serve your country?

I have always been very active. I knew joining the military would be a difficult test and I was up for the challenge. I am very proud to say that I am the first generation in my family to serve in the military.

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

The most rewarding experience was the friendships that were built during my time in the military. To this day, I am very close to many of my brothers that I served with. They were my family away from home who had my back, and I had theirs.

Share one of your most memorable military experiences…

I was wounded in Iraq, and while in the hospital in Baghdad, my squad leader, Staff Sergeant Troy L. Miranda, awarded me a Purple Heart two days before he lost his life serving his country. It’s a memory that I will never forget. He was a great man.

How has your military experience shaped your career in banking?

The military taught me discipline, great work ethic and a sense of pride in myself and my work, which has carried over into my career in banking. I am as proud today of the banking team I have the privilege of working with, as I was with my unit during my time in the military.

What does patriotism mean to you?

Patriotism to me is being proud to be an American, the willingness to defend this great nation and our flag, and respecting our veterans throughout history that have died for our rights and freedom. It is an unexplainable feeling that I get when the National Anthem plays. I am honored to live and raise my family in this great nation.

October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

9

TO

SALUTE VETERANS Brian Reed, Statement Mail Clerk, First National Bank of Fort Smith Served 1992-1996 Israel, Italy, France, Greece, Bahamas, Malta, Spain, Ukraine 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

Heber Springs Devin Redding, Teller, Eagle Bank National Guard

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 Ernest LaPaglia, LAN Computer Operator, First Arkansas Bank & Trust Served 1993-2013 Operation Iraqi Freedom, 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 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 Robert Boardman, Simmons Bank Larry Brown, EVP/CCO, One Bank & Trust Served 1971-1972 Jocquetta Hoskins Carter, Credit Analyst, Heartland Bank United States Navy 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 Rolanda Foreman, Receptionist/Teller, Heartland Bank United States Navy Harry Hastings, Jr., Emeritus Chairman of the Board, Eagle Bank Served in World War II Germany Quintessa D. Jackson, Teller, Simmons Bank Served 2013-Present Stateside Paul Kanneman, Simmons Bank

10

The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

Banker Veteran Spotlight:

CHASA CROCKETT Chris Klein, Trust &Wealth Management Assistant, First Security Bank Served 2006-2010 Stateside

Years of Service: 1992-2005

Raymond Long, Simmons Bank

Branch / Rank: U.S. Army Sergeant Military Police Corp.

Linda McDaniel, Consumer Loan Underwriter, Simmons Bank Served Served 1972-1975 Vietnam Era/Stateside

What compelled you to serve your country?

Boyd Rothwell, SVP, First National Bankers Bank Served 1968-1970 Vietnam 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

Lonoke Angie Gorbet, SVP Lending/Human Resources, First State Bank Served 1981-1987 Stateside Randy Joslin, SVP, 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 Germany, Turkey, Qatar, Afghanistan and Iraq Wars

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

Countries / Wars Served in: Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Bosnian War

I wanted to do my part for my country. My grandfather was retired Navy and a big part of my decision to join the military. I didn’t just want to exist I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to repay my debt to my country for the freedom it gave me when I was growing up.

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

The military taught me what true honor and loyalty really are.

It taught me what brother and sisterhood was all about. It gave me a sense of pride and true being. I hold myself to a higher standard than I did before the military.

Share one of your most memorable military experiences…

I would have to say my most memorable experience would be trying out for the S.O.R.T (Special Operations Reaction Team) team. It was very hard work and took countless hours of physical training along with bumps and bruises, but the reward of being accepted to the team was so worth it.

How has your military experience shaped your career in banking?

The military taught me professionalism, respect, discipline, punctuality, attention to detail, and responsibility. Every day I use each one of the attributes and I’m 11 years strong as a banker today.

What does patriotism mean to you?

Patriotism to me means to assist, protect, and defend my country against all enemies foreign and domestic. Standing for our flag as it stands for our freedom, and remembering why the flag is our symbol of freedom.

Bobby Heinze, Information Security Officer, Peoples Bank Served 2000-2008 Operation Iraqi Freedom Justin Moody, Customer Service Specialist, Peoples Bank Served 2015-Present

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

October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

11

TO

SALUTE VETERANS 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 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 Aaron Cagle, Simmons Bank Marty D. Casteel, EVP, Chairman & CEO, Simmons Bank Served 1974-1978 Vietnam Era/Stateside Dennis Fernandez, Simmons Bank Janice Fuller, Switchboard Operator, Relyance Bank Served 1983-1993 Linda Howell, Bank Operations Specialist I, Simmons Bank Served 1974-1977 Vietnam Era

12

The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

James E. Jackson, Sr., Mail Services Clerk II, Simmons Bank Served 1968-1970 South Asia Richard Metcalf, EVP/Wealth Management, Relyance Bank Charles “Tony” Ogles, IT Support Specialist III, Simmons Bank Served 1996-2000 East Timor Gekisha L. Shaw, Customer Call Center Specialist I, Simmons Bank Served 2003-2005 Arkansas National Guard, Stateside 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

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

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

Sherwood Will Yarbrough, Teller, Eagle Bank National Guard

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!

7 Financial Tips for Military Families In honor of Military Family Month and upcoming Veterans Day, the Arkansas Bankers Association and American Bankers Association are highlighting seven financial tips to help military families manage their money.

“Service members and their families often cite finances as one of their most significant stressors, even more so than deployments and personal relationships,” said Corey Carlisle, executive director of the AmBA Foundation. “Service members can’t adequately focus on the job at hand if they are concerned about financial problems at home.

Military families face unique financial challenges like deployments and relocations, so we stress the importance of planning ahead as much as possible.”

Please feel free to utilize the following tips to benefit your military customers and their families: Contribute to a Thrift Savings Plan. Military members have access to the Federal Thrift Savings Program, which offers the lowest-cost retirement-savings plan available. Have automatic contributions withdrawn from your paycheck.

Plan for deployment. Before deploying, have a conversation with your family about managing the household budget. Consider granting power of attorney to your spouse, should they need to make any urgent financial decisions while you are gone. Check with your bank to see if they have pre-printed forms you can use for bank accounts. Military personnel also receive additional funds while deployed. Decide on the best use for that extra cash, whether it be paying off debt or additional Thrift Savings Plan contributions.

Meet with your banker before active duty. The Servicemember Civil Relief Act offers all military personnel entering active duty a variety of financial protections. The SCRA covers issues ranging from interest rate reductions to limits on debt accrual. Ask your banker about the key provisions of this law and how they can help you.

Consider housing options. With mortgage rates at notably low levels, homeownership can seem like a no-brainer. However, servicemembers should consider their options. Frequent relocations and deployments can make owning a home challenging and expensive. Renting may be a smart option for short-term assignments. Decide what’s best for your family and your finances.

Consult a financial advisor. Schedule a visit at a Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP) office, located in your military and family support centers. They offer free one-on-one counseling, as well as other financial education resources.

Budget for a single-income household. Frequent moves are an inevitable part of military life and can make it difficult for spouses to establish stable careers. As a precaution, make plans to operate on a single-income household budget. That way, should your spouse’s employment status change, your family will be prepared.

Set up automatic bill pay. Whether you’re stationed state-side or overseas, automatic bill pay will give you and your family one less thing to worry about each month. It can be particularly helpful during deployments in regions where internet access is unreliable and mobile banking isn’t an option.

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Arkansas Bank Aims to Provide High Level of Service for Military “We aim to add value to the lives of our service members and their families, whether it is at home or away.”

Brian Kaelin, Assistant Vice President and Regional Manager of First Arkansas Bank & Trust (FAB&T) in Jacksonville is no stranger to serving our military men and women. Over the course of the past six decades the bank has made a conscious effort to better serve their customers on the Little Rock Air Force Base.

Kaelin and his team at the on-base bank branch continue to forge those strong connections.

FAB&T’s relationship with the Little Rock Air Force Base began more than 60 years ago when the bank’s founder Kenneth Pat Wilson led the charge to bring the base to Jacksonville. In the early 1950s he served on the Pulaski County Committee of 100 businessmen campaigning to bring the base to Jacksonville; after the location was chosen in 1952, he served as president of the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council. The bank opened its Little Rock Air Force Base branch in 1956 and has been serving our nation’s service members ever since.

A CRUCIAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY

The Little Rock Air Force Base is home to 6,995 active military members and 5,582 family members. Additionally, there are more than 50,000 retired military personnel who continue to live in the area. The base’s estimated economic impact was $469.2 million in 2016, and it ranks as the state’s seventh largest employer.

“The Little Rock Air Force Base has been a huge economic engine for Jacksonville and all of central Arkansas. Those who hold active duty, guard and support jobs have spouses and family members who also contribute to the economy, so there is an exponential benefit to having the base right here in Jacksonville and that has benefited our bank,” said Mark Wilson, FAB&T’s Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer.

FAB&T VP and Marketing Director Roger Sundermeier was born and raised in Jacksonville, and can recount air shows

Accepting the award for 2015 United States Air Force Bank of the Year 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.

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

and seeing the space shuttle when it was ferried through the base in the 1980s.

“Until I worked here, I don’t think I appreciated the economic engine that the air base is, I just appreciated what the base represented,” he said. “Now, knowing that these people are in our communities – spending money at our restaurants, building homes, their kids are going to school with my kids – knowing all the other pieces of it, I’m really glad that we’re a part of this.”

“That’s why we, and other businesses, work so hard with the base – why we work so hard to be a partner and a true advocate for the base, and that’s why Larry Wilson and others will go to DC and lobby on behalf of the base to keep them here, because we really realize that if you pulled that out of Jacksonville, it doesn’t impact just Jacksonville, it’s Sherwood, Cabot, Beebe, Austin, North Little Rock,” said Sundermeier. “What the base represents for us is unique, and what the state has to offer the base is equally unique. And I know that the United

Allie Vered, Director of America Saves, presents the 2017 America Saves Designation of Excellence to Mark Wilson and Larry Wilson for FAB&T’s efforts to promote the Military Saves program at Little Rock Air Force Base.

hello – it brings a new meaning to having comradery in your community.”

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Harry Brexel

States Air Force and the Department of Defense values Arkansas and specifically Jacksonville and the central Arkansas area for what they bring to the military.”

In addition to the geographical and air space benefits Arkansas offers, the locale provides much needed support for military men and women, and their families.

“It is crucial to have community support and involvement tailored for military families, especially for newcomers that are PCS’ing to Little Rock Air Force Base area,” said FAB&T Regulatory Lending Auditor Brandy Harris, who is also a military spouse. “A move in itself can be scary, however, having local businesses such as FAB&T show their support and offer services to assist in accommodating make a transition easier, whether it is buying a new home or needing financial advice, overall takes stress off of a service member and their family. Knowing that you have the support from locals – from the banker helping with your new home loan to the neighbor saying

LENDING A VOICE

Harris is one of 14 military spouses that work for FAB&T; additionally there are 19 associates who are either retired military or who have spouses who are retired military. These employees are one of several components that help the bank to keep a finger on the pulse of its military customer base.

FAB&T is under Department of Defense contract as the provider of finance for the base, but also provides a civilian voice of support in front of policymakers. Bank President & CEO Larry Wilson has been a longtime advocate for the base, lobbying on their behalf in Washington, D.C., and serving on Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Military Affairs Committee.

“Our membership in the Association of Military Bankers of America (AMBA) and our CEO’s service on its Board of Directors allows us to meet twice a year with military bank liaison officers to understand the financial needs of service members of all branches and help support military families so that our military service members can concentrate on their missions and not financial stresses,” Wilson said.

“FAB&T has always encouraged our employees, particularly senior bank officers, to serve on local committees and with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce to support the Little Rock Air Force Base and airmen and families,” said Mark Wilson. “We are active in the LRAFB Community Council and that meets on a quarterly basis to hear from base leadership about what’s happening on the base and with our deployed

Col. Chip Brown presented the 2015 Air Mobility Command Bank of the Year award to Rhonda Banks, Little Rock Air Force Base Branch Manager, and Larry Wilson, Chairman, President & CEO.

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personnel and any help they need from the community. We also participate in the Chamber’s annual trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with our congressional delegation and Department of Defense leadership about base issues to support the mission.”

“There are a lot of moving parts, and a lot of what we do is unseen,” Kaelin said, with Sundermeier adding “and it’s not even representing the bank, it’s just representing what’s right for the community.”

SUPPORTING OUR SERVICE MEMBERS

The bank is a two-time winner of the U.S. Air Force Distinguished Bank of the Year, and has received the America Saves Designation of Excellence for its work in promoting the Military Saves program.

FAB&T partnered with Wreaths Across America to provide a holiday wreath for every headstone at the Arkansas State Veteran’s Cemetery in 2016.

“It’s really all about financial education for service members, their families, and retirees,” Kaelin said, noting that Military Saves is a year-round campaign for FAB&T including education classes, financial contributions, and high-yield accounts.

“But it’s really just educating the service members and their families – and even the retired military service members – on the importance of savings,” he said.

Harris agreed that the bank’s Military Saves program is truly a standout.

“Financial health and stability are vital as accumulating debt can jeopardize the service member’s career and ultimately become daunting for families,” she said.

“This program is designed to motivate, support, and encourage military families to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth. Our participation in Military Saves Week includes financial awareness classes and activities surrounding basic budgeting, savings programs, and teaching children to save.”

In addition to the bank’s financial education programming, FAB&T supports an array of events throughout

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Rhett Isbell

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Rhett Isbell

the year, including golf tournaments, career fairs, and family events. Kaelin explained that the bank’s marketing department works hand-in-hand with the base marketing department on these events.

“We partner with them to make sure they’re able to pull these events off, both financially and having staff to do it,” he said. “A lot of it is weekend time also, it’s not just Monday through Friday 8-5.”

One of FAB&T’s higher-profile military contributions was a partnership with Wreaths Across America in December of 2016. The bank stepped in with a $16,000 donation to insure that every soldier buried at the Arkansas State Veteran’s Cemetery was honored with a wreath on his or her gravesite.

“We had the opportunity to take our folks over there and be a part of that ceremony and break out into groups to lay wreaths, it was extremely emotional,” Sundermeier said, adding “the community outreach was huge.”

check cashing, U.S. Treasury accounts for OTC, redemption of savings bonds and money shipments for base finance, all at no charge.

branch staff reacted to better serve customers by completing coursework to becoming Blended Retirement System Financial Counselor/Educators.

“When we build products, a lot of time, we’re looking at it with the military customer in mind. Online banking, the 24 hour call center – when you start developing these products, you start thinking about how not everything happens from 8 to 5 central time,” Sundermeier noted. “We have to be responsive enough to be able to respond appropriately in the time that’s convenient for them, we have to be there for them because ultimately they’re the reason we’re still in business.”

“So we can actually teach and inform the service members about the retirement program at no cost to them,” he said, again focusing on encouraging their customers to save.

Kaelin also noted that when the military introduced the Uniformed Service Blended Retirement System, the base

“The relationship with the air base is what makes us strong and unique. It’s not always about the profits or the products, it’s truly about the investment in the military personnel and their families,” Sundermeier said.

ONEDIGITAL HEALTH AND BENEFITS

SHAPING PRODUCTS & SERVICES

The military presence in their community and within the bank has allowed FAB&T to mold its products and services to the military customer. They offer Support Squadron accounts and Military Service Members accounts with no monthly service charges, as well as Air Force Aid

FAB&T is proud of the legacy they have built to accommodate those who have given their time and talents to serve our country.

Thank you.

The OneDigital family would like to recognize the wonderful work of Fred Bean & Bob Hamilton for their service over the years.

Happy Retirement!

We look forward to working with the Arkansas Bankers Association and its member banks for many years to come.

Little Rock Office 8315 Cantrell Rd, Suite 110 Little Rock, AR 72227

NWAR Office

Fort Smith Office

4100 Corporate Center Dr, Suite 200 Springdale, AR 72762

915 South 21st St Fort Smith, AR 72901

(479) 695-1670 | onedigital.com

October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

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Annual Washington Visit

An Advocacy Success Story

by Ava F. Roberts VP / Director of Government Relations

This year, the ABA headed to Washington a little later than normal; the weather was sunny and relatively cool, and our delegation seemed more responsive than usual. Maybe that was due to the timing in early October rather than mid-September; maybe that was due to actual changes in federal regulation on the horizon.

About 28 bankers joined the ABA for our quick visit, which began with a cocktail hour at the Promontory Interfinancial Network in Arlington. This beautiful evening, sponsored by Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, was on the rooftop of Arlington Tower, which looks straight up the Potomac. Everyone enjoyed spectacular views from the Washington Monument to the Pentagon. A few Hill staffers joined our crowd as we chatted about policy, stories from back home, and appreciated invaluable networking.

Wednesday morning started bright and early at the American Bankers Association; association staff took turns advising and answering questions on policy issues from Community Reinvestment Act Reform, in which we were told the Treasury plans to get report out by the year end and advised to tell lawmakers the inconsistency of

how examiners apply the regulations, to speculation of CFPB Director Cordray’s tenure. Both lunch and breakfast were spent with American Bankers staffers, including a special advocacy training session.

Eli Woerpel, Grassroots Manager of AmBA, walked the group through a new advocacy tool available to all members.

Banks now have the ability to personalize advocacy messages to our federal delegation. From your logo, to the letter draft, your story may be personalized and shared among your bank employees. This tool is approachable, fast, and effective grassroots activity. Contact ABA’s Government Relations Division (contact information at the end of this article) to learn more.

After quick lunch at AmBA, we were joined by four representatives from CFPB. As a whole, they were more congenial and interested than in the past, even asking for specific issues banks have with TILA/RESPA. The CFPB representatives seemed surprised and intrigued when asked to exempt vacant land from TRID, with the reasoning that consumers do not understand the forms the waiting periods for that type of land. Clearly, there must be a shortage of vacant land in the beltway!

The group’s Tuesday evening view of the entire National Mall. Special thanks to Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas for sponsoring the evening and to Promontory for opening their doors to the Arkansas bankers.

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Three SBA employees joined us next. They were eager to ensure everyone is aware of the request for comment period to bring up any issues SBA presents that may be problematic for bankers. Bill Holmes then brought up the matter of small business data collection to ask whether SBA will change the statutory definition of small business. These SBA representatives gave no indication there would be a change to any codes currently in place.

The small business data collection issue was discussed in several of our meetings, most notably with CFBP, SBA, and the FDIC. The CFPB explained they wanted to use this information to locate ‘credit deserts,’ so they could connect banks and businesses. They also reiterated they only want a finite set of data points, which, they alluded, should not be that onerous.

However, our members were quick to explain simple is best and suggested, instead, CFBP return to Congress to explain how difficult gathering this information is and how detrimental it would be to small business lending across the nation.

One of the group’s afternoon meetings was with FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg, who opened his discussion with the statement “we have largely recovered from the crisis.” However, he pointed out that regulators are paid to

Annual Washington Visit Attendees Dave Dickson, ABA Chairman Union Bank & Trust Co. Cathy Owen, ABA Chairman-Elect Eagle Bank & Trust Commissioner Candace Franks Arkansas State Bank Department Patty Barker, First State Bank Kenneth Barnard, First Service Bank Chip Blanchard, First State Bank Patrick Burrow, Simmons Bank Jim Cargill, Arvest Bank Marty Casteel, Simmons Bank Brad Chmbless, Farmers & Merchants Bank Randy Dennis, DD&F Consulting Group Robert Fehlman, Simmons Bank Eric Haar, Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Jeff Lynch, Eagle Bank & Trust George Makris, Simmons Bank George Makris III, Simmons Bank Steve Massanelli, Simmons Bank I. Joe Miles, Integrity First Bank Hunter Norton, Emerging Leader First Security Bank (Top) Attendees of the Annual Washington Visit were , in front, Brad Chambless, Farmers & Merchants Bank; Jim Cargill, Arvest Bank; Chip Blanchard, First State Bank; Jeff Lynch, Eagle Bank & Trust; Patty Barker, First State Bank; Michael Shelton, Generations Bank; Joe Miles, Integrity First Bank; Cathy Owen, Eagle Bank; Arkansas State Bank Department Commissioner Candace Franks; and Ava F. Roberts, Arkansas Bankers Association; in back, George Makris III, Simmons Bank; Marty Casteel, Simmons Bank; George Makris II, Simmons Bank; Steve Massanelli, Simmons Bank; Robert Fehlman, Simmons Bank; Jim Taylor, First Security Bank; Kenneth Barnard, First Service Bank; Dave Dickson, Union Bank & Trust, Bill Holmes, Arkansas Bankers Association; Barry Jackson, Arkansas Bankers Association; Patrick Burrow, Simmons Bank; Hunter Norton, First Security Bank; and Don Walker, Arvest Bank

Michael Shelton, Emerging Leader Generations Bank Jim Taylor, First Security Bank Don Walker, Arvest Bank Bill Holmes, Arkansas Bankers Association Barry Jackson, Arkansas Bankers Association Ava F. Roberts, Arkansas Bankers Association

(Above) Congressman Bruce Westermann and Bill Holmes at the Wednesday night staff party.

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House Financial Services Committee Approves Several Regulatory Reform Bills H.R. 1116, the TAILOR Act The TAILOR Act, which was approved on a 39-21 vote, directs the federal regulatory agencies to tailor their rulemakings in consideration of the risk profiles and business models of institutions that are subject to such rules.

H.R. 2396, the Privacy Notification Technical Clarification Act This bipartisan bill simplifies the notice requirements for financial institutions that have not changed their privacy policies. Under the bill, which was approved on a 40-20 vote, institutions that only share information within the statutory exceptions could use a simple disclosure mechanism using the Internet.

H.R. 2706, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act This legislation, which was approved by a 39-1 vote, prohibits the federal regulators from requesting or requiring a financial institution to terminate a banking relationship unless the regulator has a material reason. In addition, account termination requests or orders would be required to be made in writing and rely on information other than reputational risk.

H.R. 2954, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act H.R. 2954, which received a 36-24 vote, exempts small banks and credit unions from the new Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) reporting requirements if they have originated 1,000 or fewer closed-end mortgages in each of the two preceding calendar years or originated 2,000 or fewer open-end lines of credit in each of the two preceding calendar years. The bill also repeals the HMDA amendments included in the Dodd-Frank Act and withdraws the CFPB’s rule to impose the new and modified HMDA data points scheduled to take effect in January 2018.

H.R. 3072, the CFPB Examination and Reporting Threshold Act This legislation raises the examination threshold for institutions subject to the supervision and reporting requirements of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from the current $10 billion to $50 billion. It was approved by a 39-21 vote.

H.R. 3312, the Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act This legislation removes the arbitrary $50 billion asset threshold used to designate firms as “systemically important financial institutions� (SIFIs) and subject them to enhanced regulatory standards. Instead, the Federal Reserve would be charged with making a determination that an individual financial institution, or group of institutions, is systemically important and subject to enhanced supervision and prudential regulation.

The bill was approved by a vote of 47-12.

see the cloud in every silver lining. He advised our members to concentrate on succession planning and attracting young people to work for banks, which is nothing new to the worries of Arkansas banks. The Chairman said a proposed rule to raise appraisal threshold is forthcoming; that members should identify parts of Arkansas with shortage of appraisals and the FDIC would issue an exemption. We thanked the Chairman for interagency cooperation and for making some regulatory reforms and headed out to the OCC. Our final regulatory of the day took place at the OCC. Several employees, including Acting Comptroller Noreika, joined us for a concise discussion of regulatory reform.

We learned the Volker rule comment period resulted in 2,800 comments and were asked to send comments on their Capital Simplification Rule. Issues with CRA were shared again, with one banker explaining the discretion and the disconnect of examiners on the ground versus OCC in Washington; this banker was advised he was in violation because he had no loans in a certain region near his bank. The banker drove the examiner to that area to demonstrate the location in question was Ouachita National Forrest.

OCC employees were interested and wanted follow up information regarding this event. Sharing your stories in person frequently warrants results.

Wednesday culminated with the annual staff party, taking place for the second year at Sonoma Wine Bar. Hill staffers piled in, ate pigs in a blanket,

H.R. 3971, to Amend the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 This bipartisan legislation provides needed relief for smaller lenders with regard to escrow practices. The legislation exempts lenders with $25 billion in assets or less from escrow requirements on Higher Priced Mortgage Loans they hold in their portfolios and provides regulator relief for small services, defined as those servicing 30,000 loans or fewer, by exempting them from various servicing requirements. This bill was approved by 41-19.

Rob Nichols, CEO of American Bankers Association, welcomed bankers and offered advice on advocacy efforts.

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(Above) Congressmen Womack and Hill join at the podium to share political insight and their efforts on behalf of Arkansas bankers.

(Above Right) Senator Tom Cotton speaks to Arkansas bankers on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. (Right) Senator Boozman explains one of the most important things bankers can do for their industry is meet face-to-face with our delegation in Washington.

and networked with bankers. Senator Boozman joined us for the second year in a row and Congressman Westerman was welcomed to our party. This event is always very popular with staffers, nearly all from each office attend, and an

extremely effective way to get to know the legislation writers.

Tuesday morning began at the House Visitor Center, with a breakfast with our congressional delegation. Each member was present, with some having to head

CFPB representatives discuss intent of the small business data collection rule, while assuring bankers that rule will take several years to research before implementation.

out quickly to various meetings that were called that morning. Congressman Hill discussed the breaking up of the Choice Act and how pieces of the legislation does remove small business data collection. Both Congressman Womack

Chairman Gruenberg, FDIC, listens to a consumer impact story that resulted from federal overregulation. The Chairman urges bankers to send comments during rulemaking periods.

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and Congressman Hill discussed the proposed tax reform at great length.

Bankers were reminded of how fortunate we are with our Arkansas delegation by seeing them work together and hearing of our victories as potential advancing leadership positions in the House.

From the House Visitor Center, the group was led outside to meet Senator Cotton on the Capitol steps. Bankers huddled with the Senator to thank him for his work on our behalf and also to discuss important advocacy topics.

The Senator assured us he understands banking issues and is working diligently to promote regulatory relief.

Senator Boozman stepped out of a meeting to see us in the Senate building. The Senator congratulated us on the number of bankers present during our trip. He explained that seeing large numbers in Washington is a very effective way to promote actual regulatory relief.

(Above) Cathy Owen, Eagle Bank; Dave Dickson, Union Bank; and Chip Blanchard, First State Bank; listen as Karen Solomon, Deputy Chief Counsel of the OCC discusses rulemaking comment periods.

Since the fall Washington visit, we have had several successes in the House Financial Services Committee.

Although our trips are quick and the fight for federal relief can be frustrating, we can never stop pushing. All industries advocate and most of those industries rely on the banking sector to be successful.

We are blessed our delegation realizes that, but we must continue to share stories, comment on rules, and meet face-to-face with our delegation whenever possible. Special thanks to each and every banker that attended our fall Washington Visit. We depend on each other for effective advocacy efforts. Please see the sidebar on page 20 for more detailed information regarding recent successes in the House. We urge you to contact your Congressman to let them know of these successes and to reach out to your Senator to ask for more movement in the manner of financial regulatory relief.

To discuss matters in this article further, contact Ava Roberts at 501-978-3606 or ava.roberts@arkbankers.org.

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George Makris II, Simmons Bank, explains policy changes necessary to the efficiency of banks to staffers in Senator Cotton’s meeting room, the Razorback Room.

Jim Taylor, First Security Bank, discusses HVCRE with OCC Counsel, while Michael Shelton, Generations Bank, and George Makris, III, Simmons Bank, look on.

Get ready to laugh, learn, and hear incredible women share incredible insights at the 2017 Women in Banking Conference on November 27-28.

Join the ABA for this event, designed to bring together the unsung majority of Arkansas bankers for both networking and fellowship! Get fresh ideas to better serve your bank, community, and family; network with other women in the banking profession; and create lasting friendships — all in a fun dynamic environment!

This year’s speaker line-up includes coaching on how to project your best professional self and create a work/life balance with Mary Crane, investment advice for the working woman with Suzie Jones, a lesson in resilience with Sandy Asch, and a conversation with one of American Banker’s ‘Most Powerful Women’ Laurie Stewart.

Here’s what people are saying about previous ABA Women in Banking Conferences: The speakers were all very dynamic and their topics were very diverse, but yet still relevant.

- Michelle F. I just want to say I really enjoyed this conference. Women have come a long way in banking, but yet we still have a long way to go. As long as we are inspired by women in high positions, we know there is still a chance for woman at the top of banking.

- Tonya S. LOVED the conference. Will be bringing more women from my bank next year.

- Lauren B. I thought the speakers were even better than last year. I’m sure it will keep improving each year.

- Donna T. For more details and to register for the Women in Banking Conference, log on to www.arkbankers.org/WomenInBanking.aspx or contact the ABA Professional Development Department at 501.978.3614.

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Managing

Time with Style

by Mary Crane Mary Crane & Associates

For many years, I’ve used the DISC assessment tool to help new and established professionals understand and flex to the behaviors that they observe at work. I think it’s an invaluable tool that can help new professionals understand why one person with whom they work wants bottom-line answers while another needs a mountain of back-up information.

DISC can also be used to help people understand their personal time management challenges. Below I’ve provided some basic information about each of the four behavioral styles and some time management strategies suitable to each.

DRIVE STYLE

People with this behavioral style preference are independent, like being in control (if you don’t place them in charge of a project, they’ll take charge of it anyway), and prefer quick action. They are

extremely goal-oriented and oftentimes live and die by their to-do lists.

If this is your preferred behavioral style: Prioritizing tasks: Identifying and prioritizing tasks is second nature to you. You would benefit by periodically stepping back to refocus on big picture issues.

Managing your email inbox: You are driven to accomplish things. Try setting a stopwatch every two hours during which time you delete emails that you don’t need to retain. Also, consider setting a goal for the maximum number of emails that you do retain.

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pad or lined journal for this purpose.

Electronic to-do lists offer you the benefit of being able to back up your to-do list to a cloud storage system.

INNOVATE STYLE

People with this behavioral style preference are enthusiastic and gregarious. They easily imagine a bigger and better tomorrow. They tend to be extremely creative. Routine and inflexibility drive them up a wall. (Avoid telling this person, “You need to do it this way, because it’s the way we’ve always done things here.”)

If this is your preferred behavioral style:

Contributing to meetings: You bring to meetings a desire to know how suggestions and strategies will be implemented. You drive everyone to agree to specific due dates.

Prioritizing tasks: You love to engage in “big picture” thinking, and many view you as visionary. Set aside some time each day to shift from the “big picture” to discreet outcomes that you need to achieve.

Low tech/High tech tools that work for you: You already live and die by your to-do list, and you’re happy using a legal

Managing your email inbox: You are naturally drawn to new ideas and connections, and you know that every

The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

While others might say, “It’s not personal, it’s business,” people with this behavioral style preference know that “It’s business and personal.”

seeing details, especially potential flaws in thinking that others can’t even imagine.

Avoid paralysis by analysis. Refocus periodically on the “big picture.”

If this is your preferred behavioral style:

Managing your email inbox: Establish a regular schedule to review and clean your inbox.

Prioritizing tasks: Your naturally think in terms of people issues. At work, increase your focus on outcomes and action steps.

Managing your email inbox: People with this behavioral style preference may avoid email, viewing it as a cold method of communication. If this is your case, try listening to music while you tackle email.

Contributing to meetings: You bring to meetings a desire to give everyone a chance to contribute. You give a second hearing to ideas that others quickly dismissed.

Low tech/High tech tools that work for you: You prefer office supplies that are visually and kinesthetically appealing.

High tech tools that work especially well for you include voice translation dictation apps and web-based collaboration tools.

CORRECT STYLE

email may contain a fascinating tidbit of information. Particularly when you need to focus, turn off your computer’s new message prompt.

Contributing to meetings: You bring to meetings a desire to keep people focused on why the meeting is important and where a team should be going. You are the person who contributes unique ideas.

People with this behavioral style preference are organized, practical, persistent, and precise. They love collecting data. Others sometimes view them as procrastinators, though they rarely put off projects. Instead, they get started early and at the very last minute find themselves muttering, “If I just had 10 more minutes, I’d find the one perfect case. Then we ought to proofread this document again.”

Contributing to meetings: You bring to meetings the data and reference materials others need in order to make good decisions. Be prepared to voice concerns about potential errors, especially when you see others start to rush to judgment.

Low tech/High tech tools that work for you: Visiting your local Staples or Office Depot store makes your heart sing. Anything that helps keep you organized—a label maker, filing cabinets, pen holders—resonates with you. Look for high tech tools that help you track projects by person, place, date, etc.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Your behavioral style preference influences the time management tools and techniques that will work best for you. Choose systems that maximize your productivity.

Hear more from Mary Crane at the 2017 Women In Banking Conference!

If this is your preferred behavioral style: Prioritizing tasks: You are expert at

Low tech/High tech tools that work for you: Visit your local art supply store to acquire visually vibrant tools, for example, colorful Post-it notes, notebooks with unlined pages, and multiple colored pens and markers. Electronic whiteboards will help you to express and share your creative ideas.

SOCIALIZE STYLE

People with this behavioral style preference are amiable and respectful.

They are great team players mostly because they are such good listeners. They are attuned to other people’s feelings.

October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

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Rise of the vCSO:

A New Profession Emerges in the Effort to Fight Cybercrime

by Toni Lapp

As cybercrimes become increasingly prevalent, especially in highly regulated industries such as banking and finance, remaining complacent is becoming riskier. No business is immune, with such high-profile organizations as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, the Bank of America, and even the FDIC and IRS experiencing breaches.

“Business leaders watch the news and they know the threats are out there,” said Scott Logan, technical director of security for IT consulting firm NetGain Technologies.

“They know they need protection but they just struggle with where to start.”

The place to start may be with staffing, according to financial industry regulators. In August, the New York State Department of Financial Services began implementing cybersecurity regulations

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that are expected to become a model for financial institutions everywhere. Chief among the measures is a call for each organization to designate a qualified individual to oversee its cybersecurity program and enforce cybersecurity policy.

THE RISKS FACING FIs

Community banks and credit unions, particularly those lacking a dedicated cybersecurity professional on the executive team, are vulnerable. More than two-thirds of financial service institutions (FIs) have faced at least one cybersecurity attack in the last year, according to MetricStream’s The State of Cybersecurity in the Financial Services Industry Survey.

Furthermore, said Logan, the fastest growing segments being targeted within financial institutions are small banks and credit unions. Hackers are increasingly targeting smaller financial institutions with less robust data security systems and

The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

personnel than larger banks. According to Beazley, a leading provider of data breach response insurance, banks and credit unions with less than $35 million in annual revenue accounted for 81 percent of hacking and malware breaches at financial institutions in 2016, compared with the 54 percent of incidents they represented in 2015.

Beyond financial consequences, the reputational damage of a cyber attack for a community financial institution can cause harm beyond repair, particularly for community banks that pride themselves on their strong commitment to their local communities. Once a bank is attacked and it becomes public knowledge, the organization often faces financial losses as the result of customer attrition.

It is crucial for financial institutions to establish a solid cybersecurity program. However, unlike large financial

Chief Security Officer (vCSO) as an outsourced service, said Logan, who has written an e-book about the rise of this new role: Why the vCSO is the newest member of the C-suite. The vCSO functions alongside—but independently of—an existing I.T. manager or managed services provider (MSP) to manage an organization’s cybersecurity defenses.

Having this resource enables institutions to effectively take a sustainable and scalable approach to cybersecurity.

Indeed, all signs point to the need to have an individual dedicated to security.

institutions with seemingly unlimited resources for security, community banks often face numerous obstacles, including minimal hiring budgets for security personnel, when developing a security program.

THE RISE OF THE vCSO

The New York cybersecurity guidelines have called for developing and maintaining a written cybersecurity policy and incident response plan. The policy must be based on the risk assessment, and the guidelines require designating an individual to be responsible for these activities. The guidelines state that a third party can be used, and given the cost of adding to staff, this might be the best approach. In the banking industry, the average salary for a chief security office is $225,000, according to Baseline Magazine.

A recent trend in regulated organizations is to fill the gap by contracting a virtual

Companies often assume these responsibilities fall under the aegis of an I.T. staff person or outsourced I.T. vendor’s daily support role, said Logan.

However, dedicated I.T. support staff lack the time and resources to keep up with the challenges of modern cybersecurity, without falling behind on their assigned tasks to support the data network, applications, and end users.

WHERE TO START

Cisco describes a four-step plan to prevent, detect, and mitigate threats and minimize risk as the template for vCSO services: Make security a business priority: Executive leadership must own and evangelize security and fund it as a priority.

Measure operational discipline: Review security practices, patch, and control access points to network systems, applications, functions, and data.

Test security effectiveness: Establish clear metrics. Use them to validate and improve security practices.

Adopt an integrated defense approach: Make integration and automation high on the list of assessment criteria

to increase visibility, streamline interoperability, and reduce the time to detect and stop attacks. Security teams then can focus on investigating and resolving true threats.

According to Logan, the vCSO will be responsible for helping assess and define an organization’s security posture with the goal of improving I.T. security controls and safeguarding data assets. He or she will assess current technical system controls, ensuring they are consistent with the organization’s strategic plans and overall governance framework. The vCSO will work with the management team to help prioritize cyber threats and determine recommended security needs.

A well-qualified vCSO will then oversee the development of appropriate security controls based on the organization’s financial constraints and directives.

Organizations of all sizes can tackle such an approach—with the right people on board, said Brendan Jacobson, president of NetGain Technologies, which recently began offering vCSO services to SMBs. The vCSO role appeals to a specific corporate demographic. “We target small and medium businesses, anywhere from 30 to 300 computer users,” said Jacobson.

“When you’re a company that size, it is hard to justify hiring a CSO. As a service provider, we can provide a high-quality expert. It’s a great solution that allows these firms to have expertise that they couldn’t otherwise afford.”

By all indications, cyber attacks will only increase; financial institutions cannot rest in their fight against breaches.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A recovering journalist and bemused observer of American life, Toni Lapp graduated from University of MissouriColumbia with a degree in journalism. Previously, she worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, where she covered topics ranging from entrepreneurship to payments to economic policy. Her writing credits include the Chicago Tribune and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, BankNews magazine, Unity Magazine, and The Journal on Active Aging.

October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

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MEMBER NEWS

FNBC Bank Wins National Industry Award FNBC Bank was one of four banks honored by the American Bankers Association on Monday, Sept. 25 with an award recognizing the nation’s best bank marketing videos. The second annual AmBA Bank Marketing Video Awards, presented at the AmBA Bank Marketing Conference in New Orleans, featured nearly 300 entries from banks of all sizes.

FNBC’s video— “FNBC + Boyd Jackson = Better Together”—received the award for the Best in Asset Category: Under $500 Million. The video was recognized for its focus on the value of a long term relationship with a local community bank. In the video, Boyd Jackson, a bank customer since 1941, talks about living right across the street from FNBC and borrowing $150 to buy a team of mules to farm with. Also featured in the video is FNBC Chairman Martin Carpenter.

“We are really proud we had the opportunity to share Mr. Jackson’s story with our communities,” said Molly

Carpenter, FNBC Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations. “He has been a tremendous friend of FNBC’s for more than seven decades, and his story is a true testament to the role community banks play in the lives of their neighbors.”

A panel of bank marketing experts evaluated the production value, creativity and messaging of all entries. The top six videos for each asset category were then

posted on ABABankMarketing.com for public voting in July, where more than 6,000 voters determined the winners.

The AmBA Bank Marketing Conference is an annual gathering of retail bankers, marketers and executives from across the nation to discuss trends and focus on their role in transforming the delivery of banking services to meet the needs and expectations of their customers.

Four Arkansas Community Development Banks Receive Funding to Stimulate Economic Growth The US Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund awarded $3.5 million to four Arkansas banks last month for reinvestment in distressed communities to support small business lending and promote affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and expansion into new geographic markets.

The recipients, all CDFI-certified, were FBT Bank & Mortgage, FNBC Bank, Bank of Lake Village, and Southern Bancorp.

Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana banks received the largest proportion of the CDFI funds. The awards come at a time when more communities are falling further behind economically. Last week, the US Census Bureau released its annual benchmark data on income, poverty, and health insurance for 2016, which revealed that income inequality continues to rise.

Arkansas is among the top ten states with the highest poverty rates.

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“The CDFI banks recognized by the Treasury Department are on the front line fighting poverty and creating economic opportunity in the places that have been left behind by growing income inequality,” said Jeannine Jacokes, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Development Bankers Association.

“Arkansas community development banks have been part of the solution to reduce the state’s poverty rate, one of the highest in the nation. We need more missionfocused banks like these, and more resources to support the communities.”

The CDFI Program has proven to be an effective tool in stimulating significant private investment in community development with a very small percentage of government funding. Last year, CDFI Program recipients used their awards to: Finance over 13,300 businesses Provide funding for over 33,500 affordable housing units

The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

Provide over 427,000 individuals with financial literacy or other training

ABOUT THE CDFI FUND

The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund was created by the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994. As a bureau of the US Treasury Department, the CDFI Fund operates programs that use modest amounts of Federal money to leverage a multiple of private sector capital to promote revitalization of low-income communities and bring disenfranchised populations into the economic mainstream. CDFI-certified banks, loan funds, credit unions, and venture capital firms are eligible to receive the funding. Since the CDFI Program was launched, organizations have received over $2 billion in Financial and Technical Assistance, and the number of certified CDFIs has increased tenfold.

BANKER NEWS & MOVES Arkansas Banker Joins AmBA’s Emerging Leader Advisory Board Sandy Starnes, VP of Training and Recruitment of Citizens Bank in Batesville, will join the American Bankers Association’s newly established Emerging Leaders Advisory Board. The board, which is comprised of talented bankers from across the country, will influence the creation of innovative programming and networking opportunities for the next generation of bank leaders, help guide AmBA’s political engagement strategies and play an integral role in planning the Emerging Leaders Forum held in conjunction with AmBA’s Government Relations Summit.

“It’s an honor to join such a talented group of industry thought leaders and represent Arkansas on AmBA’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Board,” said Starnes. “This appointment allows us to share our perspective on issues impacting banks, and help formulate new ideas and strategies to tackle some of our industry’s most pressing issues.”

The Advisory Board members, many of whom were nominated to serve by their state bankers association, will provide input into new ways to enhance industry diversity and build on existing ABA initiatives and help grow the industry’s future leaders through professional development, peer networking and bank advocacy.

Board members will also have the opportunity to participate in AmBA’s Power Up initiative, a callto-action campaign for bankers to help increase the industry’s voice in Washington by strengthening banker engagement.

AmBA’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Board will meet twice a year in person and hold several conference calls throughout the year. The first in-person meeting will be held October 15-17 in Chicago at AmBA’s Annual Convention.

Starnes is also a member of the Arkansas Bankers Association Emerging Leaders Section Council. She is a graduate of Arkansas State University and the Barret School of Banking.

MURATORE TO HEAD SBA DIVISION AT STONE BANK Nick Roach, President and Chief Lending Officer of Stone Bank, has announced that the bank has significantly enhanced its role as a Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender by hiring industry veteran Vincent (Vinny) Muratore as President of the Bank’s SBA Division. Roach said, “Stone Bank has been building our loan portfolio steadily by using the services and guarantees of the Farm Services Administration and the US Department of Agriculture. We have extended that expertise to SBA lending. Vinny brings decades of experience and contacts to Stone Bank as we grow this important business segment.”

Muratore has over 40 years of commercial and SBA financing experience, having served as Regional Marketing Director and Vice President for the Treasure Coast, South Florida and Tampa/ St. Petersburg regions for Florida First Capital. He was also Regional Director for Zions Bank for the State of Florida and Mid-Atlantic Regions.

Vinny was a Founding Director of Flagler Bank, a former Director of GulfCoast Business Finance, and a former VP of SBA Lending at Comerica Bank. He currently serves on the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL) Region IV Liaison Committee and the NAGGL Conference and Education Committee.

Marnie Oldner, Stone Bank CEO said “Our SBA division, headed by this professional who is so respected in the government-guaranteed loan industry, will allow our bank to continue its profitability and growth plans by originating millions of dollars of loans in Arkansas and around the country while building a community bank presence in Mountain View, White Hall, Little Rock, and Harrison.

PATRICK SWOPE NAMED CEO OF LEGACY NATIONAL BANK The board of directors of Legacy National Bank has named Patrick Swope the President and CEO effective November 1, 2017. Patrick will replace Don L. Gibson, who has been in the role since the bank was founded. Gibson will remain with the bank as CEO Emeritus.

He will continue serving on the board and will focus on developing customer relationships and growth strategies while being active in the communities Legacy serves.

Swope was a founding executive of Legacy in 2005 as the Chief Operating Officer, and he was named President in 2016. He has over 20 years of banking experience and has served side by side with Gibson since the bank’s founding. According to Gibson, “Patrick will provide the energetic leadership needed to continue Legacy’s growth in the Northwest Arkansas community. He will bring continued focus to our vision of being the community bank for generations to come. Patrick’s commitment to Legacy combined with our excellent banking team puts Legacy in a very strong position.”

Swope is excited about the future of Legacy National Bank saying, “I look forward to continuing to work with such an amazing team and building on what we started back in 2005. We will continue to be the community bank of Northwest Arkansas and work to exceed our customers’ expectations at every opportunity.”

Chairman of the Board, Gary George, said about the transition, “We have great confidence in Patrick’s leadership and are excited about the future of our bank. We are also grateful to Don for the excellent job he has done leading our bank since the founding.”

October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

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BANKER NEWS & MOVES FARMERS BANK PRESIDENT RANDY SCOTT PROMOTED TO CEO On September 20, 2017, the Board of Directors of Farmers Bank & Trust announced that Randy Scott has been promoted from President and Chief Operating Officer to President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2017.

In making the announcement, the bank board also announced that Steve Bell will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Farmers Bank, and will join the bank ownership’s Lawrence Banking Group, which oversees seven banking operations owned by Gaylon Lawrence, Jr. The Farmers Bank & Trust Board of Directors enthusiastically stated that, “For more than 12 years as President and Chief Operating Officer, working closely with our board, Randy has led our bank to be recognized annually as one of the top performing banks in Arkansas, and in the nation. We know the time is right to officially name him as Chief Executive Officer.

We are very proud of Randy, and excited for the people of Arkansas, because we know the brand of quality, professional Customer Service and dedicated Leadership that Randy will continue to bring to our bank, and to our community.”

Randy commented that, “I am honored by the faith our Board of Directors has expressed in me, and I am grateful for their constant support and encouragement. I now have an even greater opportunity to serve our great state, our valued customers, and our outstanding bank staff. Since I grew up in Southeast Missouri, I think of myself as a “Homegrown Banker,” and I love working where my roots are. Farmers Bank & Trust is

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the perfect place for me, and for my family. Our bank is so deeply rooted, and so dedicated to this community; there is no place I’d rather be!”

Scott, recently appointed by the Governor to the State Banking Board, also serves on the Board of Trustees at Arkansas Northeastern College.

Among his many areas of local community service, Randy has been on the Board of Directors of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber’s Executive Committee, and has served as President of the organization. Randy currently serves as Chairman of the Great River Economic Development. He has also been actively involved in youth baseball with the Blytheville Baseball Softball Boosters Club.

His education includes a degree from Southeast Missouri State University, with a major in Finance and Accounting, and he is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.

Randy Scott has been in banking for 27 years, the last 17 with Farmers Bank & Trust. He and his wife Susie are the parents of two children, Lauren and Andrew.

CENTENNIAL BANK ANNOUNCES DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE BRANCH STRATEGIES Home BancShares, Inc., parent company of Centennial Bank, has announced the promotion of Kelly Buchanan to a new position, Director of Corporate Branch Strategies.

The position will be responsible for growth incentive programs for all branches throughout Centennial’s footprint along with evaluating, exploring and designing new virtual branches.

Ms. Buchanan has been with Centennial Bank for seventeen years. She was in Retail Banking and Business Development for

The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

ten years where she also served as a branch manager. She has spent the last seven years in the Marketing department.

“Deposit growth is an important focus for Centennial Bank as well as keeping up with trends in virtual banking.

Kelly has the retail banking experience needed coupled with enthusiasm for the program’s success,” said John W. Allison, Chairman. “Centennial has grown to the point of needing a centralized focus on deposits and branching and I’m pleased to announce this position as well as putting Ms. Buchanan in place to focus on these efforts,” continued Mr. Allison.

“I am excited about this new position. I appreciate the opportunity to use my diverse experience on such an important initiative,” stated Ms. Buchanan.

Ms. Buchanan is very involved with the Cabot Parks and Recreation and is the mother of two adult children and two young grandchildren. She and her husband Jereomy reside in Cabot, Arkansas.

CHAMBERS BANK WELCOMES ROTTER AS WESTERN REGION MARKET PRESIDENT Chambers Bank of Danville has hired Greg Rotter as Market President, Western Region, said Chambers Bank President, Mike Donnell.

In his new role, Rotter will manage all aspects of the West Region. Rotter has served most recently as a Market President and has held other various lending and management roles during his banking career. As the Western Region President, he will be working on the strategic vision to take Chambers Bank to the next level in the markets and communities in which they serve. Rotter will office at 8400 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith.

Rotter, a native of the Fort Smith and Van Buren area, goes to Chambers Bank with more than 23 years of experience in the financial industry and started his banking career with Superior Federal Bank. He is a graduate of Henderson State University, as well as the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. Greg has served his community in many various roles, including current Treasurer for Van Buren Pointer Project Graduation 18, as well as having been a mentor in the Van Buren mentor program and being active with Partners in Education in both Fort Smith and Van Buren School Districts.

HALLIBURTON JOINS CHAMBERS BANK AS WESTERN REGION CHIEF LENDING OFFICER Chambers Bank of Danville has hired Robert Halliburton as its Chief Lending Officer, Western Region, said Chambers Bank President, Mike Donnell.

In his new role, Halliburton will manage all lending functions of the West Region. Robert has served most recently as Senior Vice President – Commercial Lending Officer and has held other various lending and leadership roles during his banking career. As the Western Region CLO, he will be working closely with the region president and executive committee to grow Chambers Bank loan portfolio and overall presence within the markets they serve.

He will office at 8400 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith.

Halliburton, a native of Texarkana, TX, has resided in the Fort Smith area for the past 15 years, goes to Chambers Bank with more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry. He is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University, as well as Southwest Graduate School of Banking.

Robert has served his community in many various roles, including UAFS School of Business Dean’s Leadership Committee, Partners in Education in Fort Smith School District, Executive Mentor UAFS business mentor program, Grace Community Church mission leader, as well as being active with Fort Smith Chamber.

GRANT GORDY JOINS FIRST COMMUNITY AS TREASURY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST First Community Bank has hired Grant Gordy to serve as vice president of treasury management for its new Little Rock banking center.

First Community Bank recently received regulatory approval to become a full service bank in Little Rock. The financial center is located at the corner of

Kavanaugh and Cantrell in the Heights. Rene’ Julian serves as the community president for the Little Rock region.

“Grant is a great addition to our team,” said Julian. “As our treasury management specialist in the Little Rock market, he will work to grow deposits on both a business and consumer level. Grant will assist business customers with products such as cash management, positive pay, remote deposit, payroll services and will serve as a personal liaison for customers looking for a safe place to deposit their money.”

Gordy is a graduate of Conway High School. He attended the University of Central Arkansas where he received a B.S. in Psychology. He has 15 years of finance experience and has spent the last 3 ½ years working at First National Bankers Bank.

Active in the community, Gordy has been involved with Big Brother Big Sister, Boys and Girls

Club, and Junior Achievement.

He resides in Conway and has two daughters.

The bank’s lending team is made up of Julian, Eddie Ramsey, SVP commercial lender, Wendy Halpin, mortgage loan originator and Stacy Glover, commercial loan assistant. On the operation side of the bank, Emilee Schmalzried will serve as new accounts representative, Tori Rodgers as teller and Grant Gordy as vice president of treasury management.

ELAM JOINS CHAMBERS BANK AS COMMERCIAL SERVICES MANAGER Chambers Bank of Danville has announced the addition of Beverly Elam as Vice PresidentCommercial Services Manager, said Chambers Bank President, Mike Donnell.

Elam will oversee sales, product management, and customer service for all retail business products including, cash management, merchant services, and deposit products. She will be based in the Ft. Smith market.

Elam has more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry. Her various roles have included, branch manager, loan operations, a business manager coordinator, treasury services and merchant services.

Elam most recently worked for Centennial Bank and prior to that she held positions at Simmons Bank, Republic Bank of Norman and Arvest.

Elam has served and continues to serve her community in various roles, including current positions on Fort Smith Advisory Board, Western Arkansas Foundation, and Fort Smith Public School Advisory Board as well as being a mentor with the Fort Smith Public Schools.

October 2017 | The Arkansas Banker

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The Arkansas Banker | October 2017

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