Member News

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. 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

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. 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.

Both Arvest Bank’s mortgage division and Arvest Central Mortgage Company, a bank subsidiary, have been recognized with the Fannie Mae Servicer Total Achievement and Rewards™ (STAR™) Performer designation for 2019.

The STAR Program is a performance management and recognition program based on a consistently applied framework to clearly define industry standards and leading practices.

Servicers are measured on the basis of their performance managing four key metrics: investor reporting, general servicing, solution delivery and timeline management. Each servicer’s performance in these metrics is compared against the performance of other Fannie Mae loans with similar credit characteristics.

“We continue to be humbled to receive recognition for serving our mission of people helping people,” said Steven Plaisance, president and CEO of Arvest’s mortgage division and Arvest Central Mortgage Company. “Our mortgage servicing team is truly focused on our customers, and that has never been more evident than now, when they are working hard to assist families during this unprecedented crisis. Mortgage servicers are being tested now more than ever, and our team is committed to flexing and adapting as much as required during this time.”

Chambers Bank opened its newest branch in Hot Springs in August. This is Chambers’ first location in the Spa City.

The new branch will house traditional banking amenities like an ATM, teller services, lending and drive-through banking, but will also feature updated technology and design to provide a concierge banking experience.

In addition to the new Hot Springs branch, Chambers Bank has nearby locations in Hot Springs Village and Amity, with a total network of 28 branches in Arkansas.

A Grand Opening celebration will be scheduled at a later date. Due to the pandemic, access to Chambers Bank lobbies is currently restricted, with customers being routed to drive-thru and online banking options.

As part of an ongoing effort to provide additional conveniences to customers, First Community Bank is proud to announce the launch of its new mobile mortgage app. The app, MyFCB Mobile Mortgage, is a tool that will simplify the home buying and lending process.

The mortgage app has features to benefit potential homebuyers, current homeowners interested in refinancing, or real estate agents hoping to streamline the homebuying process.

Key features of the app include, but are not limited to: • Comparing different lending scenarios using various loan programs to help determine which product is the best fit for the customer • Calculating the possible savings (or cost) of refinancing a mortgage • Determining if homeownership is an affordable option based on current income and monthly expenses • Scanning required documents into device and uploading them quickly to expedite the loan approval process • Easily accessing contact information for the First Community Bank Mortgage Team and real estate agent • Having the option for the user to tap to eSign the entire mortgage application, request a pre-approval letter, or connect with a loan officer, realtor, or the mortgage team directly.

The calculations provided by the MyFCB Mortgage Mobile App are useful in calculating monthly payments and determining costs associated with new home loan purchases.

“First Community Bank offers the best of both worlds - the convenience of a mobile platform backed by a team of local mortgage specialists who are always just a call away. The mobile app connects consumers with their loan officer eliminating the need to come into the bank, while providing helpful resources for us to take care of our customers,” said Jennifer Scarbrough, senior vice president of secondary mortgage special projects at First Community Bank. "Our app carefully guides customers directly to the information they need, just like our team members would if the customer had visited one of our locations. We believe customers will find the new app convenient and easy to use."

The MyFCB Mortgage Mobile App is available for download at the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information about home financing, call 870-612-3440 or visit www.firstcommunity.net.

Sterling Bank announced plans to enter the Northwest Arkansas market with a loan production office opening at 1607 North College Avenue in Fayetteville. Headquartered in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Sterling Bank has two locations in St. Louis, numerous locations throughout Southeast Missouri, a location in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles, Illinois and is set to open its newest location on The Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri this spring. Sterling’s plans for Northwest Arkansas include opening full-service locations in Fayetteville, Bentonville and Rogers.

Arkansas native Johnathon Welch of Fayetteville will oversee the market expansion. Scott E. Spencer, President & CEO, remarked, “Sterling Bank is eager to enter the Northwest Arkansas market and offer customers a high-quality experience in the delivery of our banking products and services. We are excited to welcome Johnathon Welch who brings prior experience as a commissioned bank examiner with the Arkansas State Bank Department. Johnathon will provide valuable leadership in the NWA market.”

“I am proud to be a part of Sterling’s expansion into Arkansas,” added Johnathon Welch, “and I look forward to working with commercial and small business enterprises, as well as families in the area.”

Sterling Bank, with an emphasis on personalized service, offers a full array of consumer and business banking products and services competitive with national banks. Sterling Bank also specializes in lending services for the affordable housing industry. To date, Sterling Bank has financed 391 affordable housing projects in 28 states providing $1,976,228,517 in construction financing. Sterling Bank’s professional staff has established a tradition of state-of-the-art banking expertise in all phases of commercial and community banking and is known for being an outstanding community partner that provides generous support to numerous area causes.

Citizens Bank has received additional national recognition from the American Bankers Association (AmBA) for its Community Development efforts in Batesville.

In an article that appeared on its “America’s Banks” website, AmBA identifies Citizens Bank as “A Bank That Kick Starts Change for an Entire Community.”

Citizens Bank was acknowledged for its Impact Loans & Grants Program, and for its role in assisting the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce with the IMPACT Independence Strategic Community Plan. The Impact loans and grants have been credited for playing a critical role in the success of the revitalization of Historic Main Street Batesville. The Impact Independence program has helped guide increased economic development across Independence County.

“Citizens Bank has made a major difference for an entire community with the Impact Independence County programs,” AmBA said. “The initiative brought together residents and area leaders to identify ways to kick start the local economy and make other quality of life improvements. The success speaks for itself.”

Since it was established in 2016, the bank’s Impact Loans & Grants program has provided more than 50 loans and grants totaling $6.5 million. Loans are being made at very low interest rates to finance renovation and improvement programs.

This latest recognition follows the 2018 Community Commitment Award for excellence in community and economic development, which the American Bankers Association presented to Citizens Bank and the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce.

AmBA says its America’s Banks campaign “features real stories and fresh data about banks’ efforts to support the people and places they serve. The website highlights the industry’s role in building careers, providing loans to individuals and small businesses and making a difference in their communities through philanthropy, investment, innovation and personal service.”

Data released by AmBA indicates that the 87 banks that are headquartered in Arkansas have 23,378 employees, a total annual payroll of $2 billion, 4.5 million customers, and $3.1 billion in small business loans outstanding.