Ford Financial Fund II

At this point in 2013, Simmons First National Corp. of Pine Bluff was a $3.5 billion holding company with eight subsidiary bank charters and little name recognition outside Arkansas. But by the end of 2014, Simmons’ corporate assets will have nearly doubled, making it the third-largest banking concern headquartered in Arkansas as ranked by assets. read more >

Seven Arkansas lenders remain under the umbrella of the U.S. Treasury’s TARP program in the aftermath of the 2008 financial meltdown. The group collectively received more than $126 million through the Capital Purchase Program-Troubled Asset Relief Program. read more >

Last week, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge James Mixon awarded Ford Financial Fund II of Dallas $1.79 million for costs it incurred acting as the “stalking horse bidder” for Metropolitan National Bank, which meant it had the opportunity to match any other bids received. read more >

Simmons First National Corp. of Pine Bluff bid $53.6 million to acquire Metropolitan National Bank of Little Rock from Rogers Bancshares Inc., according to details of the auction shared during a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Thursday. read more >

Simmons First National Corp. of Pine Bluff has submitted the winning bid to purchase Metropolitan National Bank of Little Rock. So what's next in this historic banking deal? read more >

That historic auction of Metropolitan National Bank of Little Rock takes place today, with bidders including Simmons First National Corp. of Pine Bluff and Arvest Bank of Fayetteville. read more >

Perhaps no one can appreciate the battle to save Metropolitan National Bank more than Susie Smith, Metropolitan’s senior executive vice president, COO and CFO. Her testimony at a July 26 hearing in Little Rock’s U.S. Bankruptcy Court offers a glimpse inside the embattled, former $1.8 billion-asset lender. read more >

Who won the give-and-take of sorting out details of the pending bankruptcy court auction of Little Rock’s Metropolitan National Bank? By our count, the score was 3-2 in favor of the debtor, Rogers Bancshares Inc. read more >

Did you know a federal bankruptcy judge slashed the proposed stalking-horse fee in the pending bid-sale of Metropolitan National Bank? read more >