A banking and finance resource to help navigate the leadership of the largest Arkansas companies or institutions. read more >

When Bear State Financial made its first out-of-state acquisition of Metropolitan National Bank of Springfield, Missouri, it didn't find just a merger partner in Mark McFatridge, president and CEO of Metropolitan. It found a new leader for its management team. read more >

Bear State Financial Inc. of Little Rock announced that Mark McFatridge had been appointed CEO and director of both Bear State Financial and Bear State Bank effective immediately. McFatridge is the former CEO of Metropolitan National Bank of Springfield, Missouri, which Bear State acquired. read more >

Bear State Financial Inc. of Little Rock, the publicly traded holding company for Bear State Bank, announced Friday second quarter 2015 earnings of $2.5 million. read more >

Three Arkansas banks ranked among Bank Director magazine's list of top mid-size performers in the country, with Bank of the Ozarks of Little Rock taking the No. 1 spot. read more >

The publicly traded holding company for Bear State Bank collapsed three bank charters in the first quarter. read more >

Bear State Financial Inc. released its annual proxy statement and announced its annual shareholders meeting to be held May 29 at the company's Harrison headquarters. read more >

Bear State Financial Inc. of Little Rock, the holding company for First Federal Bank, First National Bank and Heritage Bank, said it completed a merger of all three bank charters under one name, Bear State Bank. read more >

The June acquisition of First National Security Co. propelled Bear State Financial Inc. of Harrison into the top tier of Arkansas bank holding companies. read more >

Bear State Financial Inc. of Harrison, recently renamed from First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, is days away from almost tripling its size with the pending acquisition of First National Security Co. of Hot Springs. read more >

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas Inc. of Harrison is now Bear State Financial Inc. The name change approved by shareholders on March 21 became effective Tuesday. read more >