Banking

Chris Gosnell, CEO of Farmers Bank & Trust of Magnolia: “How do we get younger people into the industry and how are we recruiting that talent and retaining it once we have it?” [Jason Burt]

Estate Tax Change Brings Hope for Small Banks

Amid a long-term decline in community banking, a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could help preserve family-owned banks serving rural areas.

by Griffin Coop - November 3, 2025, 12:00am

Banks Get Tax Break On Ag Loans

October 6, 2025, 12:00am

A new law lets banks deduct 25% of interest income on qualifying ag loans, easing farm credit competition.

Bank OZK Expands in Texas & Georgia With Three New Branches

August 11, 2025, 12:00am

Meanwhile, Arvest and Sterling Bank are growing their branch networks in Kansas and Arkansas.

Union Bank Upgrades Russellville Operation

May 19, 2025, 12:00am

Union Bank is expanding in Russellville with its first full-service branch, while Bank OZK adds four new locations in North Carolina.

Banking & Finance / Investments

Bank OZK Tops Arkansas Banks in Financial Efficiency for 2024

Bank OZK set the pace for financial efficiency among Arkansas banks in 2024, spending just 33 cents per dollar of revenue while maintaining strong returns on equity. read more >

by George Waldon - April 21, 2025, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Investments / Real Estate

FNBC Debt Offering Tops $7.2M

Ash Flat-based FNBC Bancorp Inc. completed its second $7.25 million subordinated debt offering late last year, following a similar 2019 raise that bolstered its bank’s capital. read more >

by George Waldon - March 24, 2025, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Construction / Investments

First Community Bank, Bank OZK Expand Footprints

First Community Bank is expanding in Harrison with a second full-service branch, while Bank OZK is growing its presence in Tennessee and Florida with multiple new locations. read more >

by George Waldon - February 24, 2025, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Investments

Central Bank Forms Holding Company

Central Bancshares Inc., the new holding company, will become the owner of the $674 million-asset lender. read more >

by George Waldon - December 23, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Industry

Encore Bank & Bank of England Up And Down in 2024

Encore Bank sees modest gains, Bank of England struggles with losses, and Bank OZK expands its southeastern footprint with new branches in Georgia and Florida. read more >

by George Waldon - November 25, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Industry / Investments

Bank Combo Builds Assets to $539M

The pending merger of two northeast Arkansas lenders will create the state’s 35th-largest bank, with total assets of $539 million. read more >

by George Waldon - September 30, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Construction / Industry

Academy Bank Plans On Entering Rogers

The addition of Academy will expand the competitive field of banks in Rogers to 24, of which six hold at least a 5% share of deposits in the market. read more >

by George Waldon - September 2, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Construction / Industry

Grand Savings Grows Footprint in Northwest Arkansas

Grand Savings Bank is expanding its Benton County footprint to seven locations with the addition of a Centerton branch. read more >

by George Waldon - August 5, 2024, 12:00am

Bank of England headquarters at the Main and Fordyce streets. Since 2002, the bank has developed a billion-dollar mortgage origination business.

Banking & Finance / Construction / Industry

Red Ink Follows 2 Banks Into 2024

Little Rock’s Encore Bank posted a $1.6 million loss in the first quarter, while Bank of England recorded a $1.5 million loss. read more >

by George Waldon - July 8, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Construction / Industry

Consolidation: 2 Banks Form $246M Lender

Sister banks owned by Smith Associated Banking Corp. of Hot Springs are merging operations to create a $246 million-asset lender. read more >

by George Waldon - June 10, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Construction / Industry

Bank Combo Yields Assets of $365M

The pending merger of Monticello’s Commercial Bank & Trust and Warren’s First State Bank will create a financial institution that will rank No. 41 among Arkansas-based banks based on total assets. read more >

by George Waldon - May 13, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Industry / Real Estate

Banking on Change: Profit Proves Elusive For Two Out of Three Banks

A trio of banks that started 2023 with a quarterly loss meandered their way to mixed results at year’s end. read more >

by George Waldon - March 18, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Industry / Real Estate

Southern Bancorp Adds 20th Branch in Mississippi

Meanwhile, Simmons Bank is opening new branches in Tennessee and Texas. read more >

by George Waldon - February 19, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Investments

RiverBank Buys Into Paragould

RiverBank of Pocahontas is adding a third northeast Arkansas market to its footprint. read more >

by George Waldon - January 22, 2024, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Public Companies / Real Estate

Sister Banks Set Merger For Q1 of Next Year

The pending merger of the two lenders owned by Mena’s Union Bankshares Inc. will create a bank that ranks among the 30 largest in Arkansas. Based on Sept. 30 financial […] read more >

by George Waldon - December 11, 2023, 12:00pm

Banking & Finance / Construction / Real Estate

Bank OZK Sets Sights on Jonesboro

Little Rock’s Bank OZK is adding Jonesboro to its Arkansas roster of 74 full-service locations. read more >

by George Waldon - November 13, 2023, 12:00am

Banking & Finance / Construction / Investments

Today’s Bank Expands to Benton County

The $332 million-asset lender is poised to start doing business through a newly built 2,800-SF full-service branch at 181 Slack St. in Pea Ridge. read more >

by George Waldon - October 16, 2023, 12:00am