First Arkansas Bank and Trust has been in Conway for a relatively short time.
But the bank and the city have a relationship that makes them seem like old friends.
FAB&T opened its branch on Hogan Lane in 2018, running the bank’s number of locations to 22 and bringing with it the kind of customer and community service that have marked FAB&T’s 73 years.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic made some of the simplest tasks harder, FAB&T understood how trying life can be for the people of its many Arkansas communities. The demands of work and raising a family sometimes make it difficult for people to conduct business during established hours, so FAB&T continually sets out to be as accessible as possible for Conway residents on the go.
“The reception to our brand in the Conway community has been tremendously heartwarming,” said Roger Sundermeier Jr., senior vice president and chief branding officer. “As a newcomer to Conway, but not the area, there is always some uncertainty as to growth. Market studies can give insight to how successful we could be, however we are truly humbled by the growth and response to our financial institution by the Conway community.”
FAB&T board chairman and CEO Larry Wilson is the son of Kenneth Pat Wilson, who founded FAB&T in 1949.
Mark Wilson, Larry’s son, is a graduate of Conway’s Hendrix College and joined the bank in 2001. He is president of FAB&T in Jacksonville and is responsible for overseeing the bank’s commercial and consumer lending operations and the network of retail branch locations in central and north-central Arkansas.
The Wilsons are members of numerous local commissions and boards, and have promoted economic development efforts in FAB&T communities.
“First Arkansas Bank and Trust has always supported the communities we serve,” Mark Wilson said. “We work together with our fellow businesses to help our communities with educational initiatives.”
In its efforts to be a good neighbor, FAB&T has invested in central Arkansas and spends around 3,000 hours a year on local volunteer and community service work.
“We brought to Conway what we bring to every community that we invest in,” Sundermeier said, “a friendly staff, products and services that every customer needs and should expect, technological investments to provide an even greater level of customer experience and a financial investment in the people, causes and needs of the Conway community. We have been proud partners with the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, Toad Suck Daze and the local colleges.”
The partnerships also push FAB&T to offer the best services possible.
“The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce is among the top chambers of commerce in the state and region,” Sundermeier said. “They are forward-thinking which further challenges us, and other businesses, to match that level of thinking for the benefit of the consumer.”
In recent years FAB&T has also partnered with central Arkansas organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the Museum of Discovery, the 3 Degree Guarantee, Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Reading Roadtrip. Bank personnel also serve the community as individuals, whether coaching, holding public office or volunteering as first responders.
As a family-run, community bank, FAB&T has the philosophy that if its approximately 250 employees enjoy their workplace, they will in turn help make their communities better.
The community has been good to FAB&T, Sundermeier said, and that makes it important for the bank to play a role in the city’s ongoing growth and success.
“The heart of Conway is the people,” he said. “Conway has a small-town feel with big city amenities and goals. We are proud to weave ourselves and our brand into the fiber of Conway. The people of Conway do an exceptional job of shopping locally and keeping their dollars within their community.”
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