Brad Paul Joins Southern Bancorp Bank as Little Rock Market President

Brad Paul (Photo provided by Southern Bancorp Bank)

Southern Bancorp Bank of Arkadelphia announced the hiring of Brad Paul as the Community Development Financial Institution’s (CDFI) first Little Rock market president.

In his new role, Paul will lead the bank’s expanding lending efforts in the capital city and across central Arkansas, Southern Bancorp Bank said in a news release. The bank opened its first full-service branch in Little Rock in 2023, working to deliver a blend of traditional banking products with a slate of financial development tools to families and businesses.

Paul brings more than 30 years of experience to the job. He joins Southern Bancorp Bank from Encore Bank of Little Rock, where he was executive vice president. Before then, he was Little Rock market president for Central Bank of Little Rock.

“Brad is one of Little Rock’s most accomplished lending leaders, and it’s a pleasure to welcome him to our mission-focused team,” John Olaimey, president and CEO of Southern Bancorp Bank, said in the release. “The addition of Brad’s experience and expertise to our team will help us continue to grow our local impact and make an even greater difference for the individuals, families, and small businesses we serve.”

Paul, a Little Rock native, graduated from the University of Arkansas, where he majored in psychology and minored in general business. He also studied at Arkansas State University’s Lending School and is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Advanced Commercial Lending School.

He has served on a number of local boards over the course of his career, including the Arkansas Hospice Foundation, the chambers of commerce for Rogers, Sherwood and Bentonville-Bella Vista. In 2025, he was appointed to the North Little Rock Civil Service Commission by Mayor Terry Hartwick.

“It’s an honor to join the Southern Bancorp mission, as I’ve long respected the work that they and other CDFIs throughout the country do for under-resourced communities,” Paul said. “I’m excited to lead our local lending team, help us grow our local portfolio, and to support more of our neighbors along their financial journeys.”