Burt Hicks

The best quotes of 2024 from Arkansas business leaders, innovators, and officials—insights on challenges, growth, and the unique spirit driving the state forward. read more >

The leadership at Encore Bank anticipated expenses would outpace income during 2019-22 because the Little Rock venture was operating in fast-track growth mode. However, the up-and-down quarterly performance envisioned to even out during 2023 didn’t. read more >

Jett had been acting CEO since late April, when Chris Roberts resigned as the Little Rock bank's chief executive. read more >

Phillip Jett, vice chairman and chief banking officer, was named acting CEO and chairman. read more >

Edwards previously spent 21 years in public accounting at BKD LLP of Little Rock, with a majority of that time spent serving financial institutions. read more >

Since 2019, total deposits at Encore have ballooned from nearly $121.8 million to more than $1.9 billion. read more >

Simmons alleged that former employees took customer and proprietary bank information when they left to work for Encore. read more >

Simmons Bank of Pine Bluff has accused former employees of taking customer and proprietary bank information when they left to work for Encore Bank of Little Rock. read more >

Simmons Bank hauled Encore Bank into court last week over accusations that include improperly luring executives and customers away from the Pine Bluff bank. read more >

As chairman and CEO, Chris Roberts is leading the campaign to rebrand and relaunch Capital Bank with a $50 million stock offering. The 50-year-old banker considers his recent move from Simmons Bank to be a curtain call on his 27-year lending career. read more >

Burt Hicks is the president and CEO of Simmons First Investment Group Inc. read more >