Southern Bancorp Inc. of Arkadelphia has named Jeremy Loftin as chief operating officer after its acquisition of Legacy Bank & Trust of Springfield, Missouri.
Loftin has been COO of Legacy Bank & Trust since 2019. He will serve as COO of both organizations until Legacy Bank & Trust converts to Southern Bancorp in the fourth quarter, Southern Bancorp said in a news release.
Southern Bancorp closed on the purchase of the $1.9 billion-asset lender this month.
The COO role had been held by Vance Smiley since 2023, when the position was created. Smiley agreed to establish the role’s functions during the search for a long-term candidate, according to the release. Smiley will remain with the company and return to his previous role, which focused on technology and innovation.
Loftin brings more than two decades of financial leadership experience to the role. Before he became COO of Legacy Bank & Trust, he was chief administrative officer for Missouri Trust & Investment Company.
As COO of Southern Bancorp, he will oversee the Community Development Financial Institution’s enterprise operations, as well as lead integration efforts to align both organizations.
Loftin holds a master’s in business administration in finance from Missouri State University and a bachelor’s in business administration from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. He is a certified financial planner and certified trust & financial adviser, as well as a graduate of the American Bankers Association’s National Trust School and Graduate Trust School.
He serves on the boards of several nonprofit and professional organizations, including the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the Missouri Bankers Association, and the First Kids of Marshfield.
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