Benefit Bank

Most regulated industries don’t get to choose who regulates them, but, to a limited degree, banks do. And while the door can swing both ways, in reality the traffic has flowed in one direction: converting from national charters to state charters. read more >

The proposed sale of Fort Smith’s Benefit Bank represents a cash transaction of nearly $32.2 million. Ironhorse Financial Group Inc. of Muskogee, Oklahoma, intends to merge the $195 million-asset lender into its Armstrong Bank, which operates 17 full-service locations in eastern and northern Oklahoma. read more >

A 2,647-SF Little Rock branch marked for sale by Simmons First National Bank of Pine Bluff is in the process of changing hands. read more >

United Bank of Springdale and Benefit Bank of Fort Smith received approval from the Arkansas State Bank Department to convert from federal savings banks to state banks. read more >

Of all the Arkansas banks ensnared in the alleged serial loan fraud by Dennis Smiley Jr., First Western Bank of Booneville could be in the best position to recover money from him. read more >