Member News Anstaff Bank Named Industry Top Loan Producer by Independent Banker Magazine Independent Banker, the award-winning magazine of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the number-one source for community banking news, recognized Anstaff Bank, Green Forest, AR as an ICBA top lender in its July issue. Anstaff Bank’s recognition is based on the strength of its competitive banking services and operational efficiencies throughout 2019. “Through innovation, resourcefulness and an unwavering commitment to their customers and communities, these top lenders are creating a culture of success,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “ICBA is proud to recognize Anstaff Bank and its staff for their outstanding efforts and wish them continued prosperity.” The “ICBA’s Top Lenders 2020” feature reveals the secret to these community banks’ success as agricultural, commercial, and consumer and mortgage lenders. It showcases their commitment, ingenuity, and skill in adapting to market dynamics and evolving customer needs. The annual list is based on the strength of competitive banking services and operational efficiencies using FDIC data for 2019. Scores were determined by combining the average of the bank’s percentile rank for lending concentration and for loan growth over the past year in each lending category and asset size and adjusted for loan charge-offs at certain percentile thresholds.
First Community Banks Tops Forbes' Best-In-State Banks for 2020 First Community Bank has been chosen as the top bank among four other financial institutions on Arkansas’ best banks by Forbes for its 2020 Best-In-State Banks and Credit Unions list (for the Forbes' article on the "World's Best Banks" list see page 37). This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry-ranking provider. "The distinction by Forbes as Best-In-State Bank is a tremendous honor," said Dale Cole, chairman & CEO of First Community Bank. "First Community Bank works hard every day to serve our communities, and this recognition is a testament to the dedication of all our employees." Forbes’ Best-In-State Banks and Credit Unions 2020 list is comprised of the top banks and credit unions based on the results of independent surveys involving approximately 25,000 U.S. consumers who were asked to rate the financial institutions at which they have or have had checking accounts. Participants made recommendations regarding overall satisfaction; they also assessed banks in the following areas: trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services, and financial advice.
Arkansas Bankers Association Partners with Celero Commerce The ABA is proud to have established a partnership with Celero Commerce as one of their newest Endorsed Vendors. From ABA President/CEO, Lorrie Trogden, “We are pleased to have Celero Commerce join the ABA as our Endorsed payments vendor. In this ever-changing financial climate, it is more important than ever to offer Celero’s products and services to our Arkansas banks. With contactless merchant solutions, custom-tailored programs to fit each Financial Institution’s needs, marketing support, exceptional customer service, and more, we are thrilled to bring Celero’s options to our financial community.” “As the exclusive payments Endorsed Partner, with its extra commitments, for the ABA it is a statement of intent for our organization,” said Jim Harris, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Celero. “The ABA is one of the truly outstanding banking associations with a long history of advocating for their member banks. They are the organization of choice for community banks in the state of Arkansas, and we appreciate the opportunity to work together to help provide thought
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leadership and innovative solutions to make their member banks even more successful.” Celero Commerce offers payment processing services, business management software, and data intelligence to small and medium-sized businesses, in one holistic platform. Celero empowers business owners and executives to focus on driving growth and profitability. Founded in 2018, Celero Commerce is based in Nashville, TN.