The Arkansas. Banker. the. Women in Banking. issue. Volume XCIX, No. 10 October October 2015 The Arkansas Banker

Transcription

1 Annual Washington Visit Recap Q&A With Congressman Westerman The Arkansas Banker the Women in Banking issue Volume XCIX, No. 10 October 2015 October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 1

2 ABA Live Events ABA Professional Development Live Events... Provide you with face-to-face interaction with an expert instructor! OCTOBER Bank Directors Workshop Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Bank Directors, Executive Management, Senior Bank Officers, Shareholders NOVEMBER ELS Day with the Regulators Federal Reserve Building, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Anyone who would like a chance to further their leadership skills, listen to motivating speakers, and network with colleagues from across the state Marketing Conference Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Anyone responsible for marketing, public relations and advertising JANUARY Loan Assistants & Processors Workshop Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Loan Assistants and Loan Processors, Credit Administration Supervisors, and other members of the banks loan support staff with credit administration responsibilities 13 Advanced Cash Flow Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Chief Executive Officers, Chief Lending Officers, Commercial Lenders, Credit Administration Supervisors, Credit Analysts and Loan Review staff IRA School Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Trust Officers, Wealth & Private Banking Directors, Senior Financial Advisors, Personal Bankers, Estate Planning Attorneys, Senior Level Executives, Portfolio Managers, Any officer/ manager who oversees the IRA department and may be responsible for answering IRA account holders questions or concerns but does not actually open IRA accounts, experienced IRA personnel who like a slower pace workshop to cover all the new changes in a comprehensive manner 17 Women in Banking Conference Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Professional women from around the state Technology Conference Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Who Should Attend: IT Officers, Technology Managers, Chief Information Officers, and IT Committee Members 20 Introduction to Commercial Lending Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Commercial Lenders, Credit Officers, Branch Managers, Credit Analysts, Consumer Lenders, Loan Review Officers and Compliance Officers 21 The Risk Rating Process and Problem Asset Administration Holiday Inn Presidential, Little Rock Who Should Attend: Chief Credit Officers, Senior Loan Officers, Loan Officers, Credit Analysts, Loan Administrators, Loan Review Officers, Special Asset Officers, and Loan Workout Professionals For more information about ABA Live Events, log on to or call The Arkansas Banker October 2015

3 The Arkansas Banker Volume XCIX, No. 10 October 2015 The Arkansas Banker is the official publication of the Arkansas Bankers Association. EDITORIAL OFFICE 1220 West Third Street Little Rock, AR Phone Fax EDITORIAL The Arkansas Banker seeks to reflect the banking news of Arkansas and other news of direct interest to the Arkansas Bankers Association. Statement of fact and opinion are made on the responsibility of the authors alone and do not represent the opinion or endorsement of the Arkansas Bankers Association. Articles may be reproduced with written permission only. ADVERTISEMENT The publication of advertisement does not necessarily represent endorsement of those products or services by the Arkansas Bankers Association. The Editor reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. SUBSCRIPTION Subscription to The Arkansas Banker magazine, which began monthly publication in April 1917, is included in the membership fees to the Arkansas Bankers Association. MAGAZINE RATES Cover price is $5.95 each. Annual subscription rates are $40.00 for members and $60.00 for non-members. The Arkansas Banker (ISSN ) is published monthly by the Arkansas Bankers Association, 1220 West Third Street, Little Rock, AR Phone: Periodical postage paid at Little Rock, AR. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Arkansas Bankers Association, 1220 West Third Street, Little Rock, AR CONTENTS COLUMNS DEPARTMENTS FEATURES COVER STORY 4 President s Column Bill Holmes 6 Emerging Leaders Update Kevin Thompson 7 Washington Update Gov. Frank Keating 12 Government Relations: Annual Washington Visit 29 Member News 30 Professional Development 32 Banker News & Moves 35 Index of Advertisements 8 Get to Know Congressman Bruce Westerman 14 Investing in Arkansans: Southern Bancorp Gives Back 23 Franks: Accept Cyber Tool as a Resource Arkansas State Bank Department 26 Technology Conference 28 ABA PAC Golf Tournament The Women In Banking Issue See these features about Women in Banking: 16 Women in Banking Conference 18 A Passion for Your Profession By Becky McCrary 20 Women in Banking Round-Table Years of the ABA: Saluting Our Lady Bankers October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 3

4 PRESIDENT S COLUMN You Are Making an Impact As you can tell from this issue, we just returned from our Annual Washington Visit. Both the Senate and the House had been on recess the month of August, and had spent considerable time in their home districts. Every one of our delegation commented that they had at least one and most several meetings with their bankers in the district. Each was quick to relate a story that they had heard explaining the effects of overregulation on one of their constituents, as told to them by their banker. Because you have supported your community all of these years, you have laid the foundation to serve as a trusted source of information and expertise. We heard from both sides of Congress that you are changing their views on over-regulation. Scenario 1: Earlier this year a Congressman asked a regulator what the effect of a specific new reg was on community banks. After the regulator responded, the Congressman rebutted the regulator s answer. The Congressman knew because, not only had he been a community banker, but he had heard over and over from community bankers what the effects were. Scenario 2: Arkansas bankers prepared for a meeting with our delegation: preparation that included numbers and percentages, facts and figures, dollar signs the things that are usually the focus. And then, instead, the delegation talked about the effects continued over-regulation was having on their home district s small businesses and on their voters. Even better, they had already drafted some common sense solutions, and were working with others to build a consensus. 4 The Arkansas Banker October 2015 What a pleasant change! This was because our Congressmen have talked with local bankers who shared specific examples of what would happen at home if we don t get some Reg Relief legislation through Congress this year. Our bankers talked about the impact it would have on jobs at their respective banks, how it would slow the economic growth in their communities and, most importantly, how it would affect customers and their families. Have we won yet? No. We are still facing an uphill battle, but we have found new and better ammunition. We will have to stay committed and engaged. We have to maintain contact with our delegation and push them to share our stories with their peers. Those efforts must intensify as we draw closer to the end of the year. It seems clear that it is somewhat now-or-never in Washington, D.C., at least as it pertains to Reg Relief for our banks. That may seem a bit dramatic, but if we don t act now, it is likely that our community banking issues won t be on the agenda for a long time. After the fall session of Congress, all eyes will be on the presidential election and chances to move legislation in favor of our industry will be slim. It is likely that we will ask you to call your Senator, or to tweet your Congressman as we try to push through some of the proposed Reg Relief legislation. It is certain you will again answer that call, as you have so much in the recent past. For that we say thank you. Please continue to be an integral part of our advocacy. You are making an impact. PRESIDENT & CEO BILL HOLMES Attending the ABA Annual Washington Visit were, from left, Hunter Windle, Malvern National Bank, Malvern; Ava Franks, ABA; Randy Dennis, DD&F Consulting, Little Rock, Randy Scott, Farmers Bank & Trust Company, Blytheville; Kevin Thompson, Centennial Bank, Fayetteville; Scott Hancock, Centennial Bank, Fayetteville; Hunter Norton, First Security Bank, Fayetteville; Leslie Harp, Heartland Bank, Little Rock; Jim Taylor, First Security Bancorp, Fayetteville; Blake Fletcher, Stone Bank, Little Rock; Michael Lambert, FHLB-Dallas, Dallas; Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne; Bill Holmes, ABA; Robert Taylor, Parkway Bank, Rogers; Greg Connell, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Perryville; Dave Dickson, Union Bank & Trust Company, Monticello; Cathy Owen, Eagle Bank, Little Rock; Aaron Gamewell, ABA; and Mike Jacimore, Arvest Bank, Fort Smith.

5 2015 Marketing Conference November 12-13, 2015 Crowne Plaza, Little Rock ABA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ROBERT Y. TAYLOR CHAIRMAN Parkway Bank, Rogers DAVE DICKSON VICE CHAIRMAN Union Bank & Trust Co., Monticello CHUCK MORGAN PAST CHAIRMAN Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff ABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PHIL BALDWIN GROUP 2 Citizens Bank, Batesville GREG CONNELL GROUP 2 The Farmers & Merchants Bank, Perryville TROY DUKE GROUP 5 Gateway Bank, Rison SEAN WILLIAMS CHAIRMAN-ELECT First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne JUDY LAWTON TREASURER Heartland Bank, Little Rock BILL HOLMES PRESIDENT/CEO Arkansas Bankers Association, Little Rock J. MICHAEL JONES GROUP 5 Merchants & Farmers Bank, Dumas CRAIG MOBLEY GROUP 4 First Financial Bank of El Dorado, El Dorado WILSON MOORE GROUP 2 Bank of America, Little Rock ELIZABETH FARRIS GROUP 4 Regions Bank, Hot Springs GARY GOLDEN GROUP 4 First State Bank of DeQueen, DeQueen SCOTT HANCOCK GROUP 3 Centennial Bank, Fayetteville DREW HARPER GROUP 2 Bank of the Ozarks, Little Rock JON HARRELL GROUP 3 First Bank, Rogers JERRY MORGAN GROUP 1 Focus Bank, Jonesboro CATHERINE OWEN GROUP 2 Eagle Bank, Little Rock RANDY SCOTT GROUP 1 Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Blytheville MIKE SMITH GROUP 5 McGehee Bank, McGehee JIM TAYLOR GROUP 3 First Security Bancorp, Fayetteville Join the ABA and the Sells Agency for this informative two-day event centered on your bank s marketing strategies. Featuring national speakers and experts on a range of topics as well as informative and practical round table discussions, this new conference will help bank marketers stay ahead of current trends while connecting with other professionals in the field. Log on to for more information and to register! DARWIN HENDRIX GROUP 4 Bank of Delight, Delight CHARLES HORTON GROUP 1 Fidelity Bank, West Memphis ABA STAFF BILL HOLMES PRESIDENT/CEO bill.holmes@arkbankers.org CARLA BRINKLEY VP/CONTROLLER carla.brinkley@arkbankers.org AVA FRANKS VP/DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ava.franks@arkbankers.org JESSICA SAHENE MARKETING COORDINATOR jessica.sahene@arkbankers.org STUART THALHEIMER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT stuart.thalheimer@arkbankers.org STANHOPE WILKINSON GROUP 3 Farmers Bank & Trust, Greenwood AARON GAMEWELL EVP/COO aaron.gamewell@arkbankers.org KAMI TAYLOR COLEMAN VP/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT kami.coleman@arkbankers.org TRACI LOGSDON DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org TERRI KELLY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR terri.kelly@arkbankers.org BRENDA SCARBROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT brenda.scarbrough@arkbankers.org October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 5

6 EMERGING LEADERS UPDATE Focusing on Banking Issues in Washington You mean there is more going on in Washington, D.C., than just banking issues? Most definitely but our ABA sure tries to elevate those banking items and create the needed attention. Each fall, the ABA hosts its Annual Washington Visit, with a full agenda of meetings with regulators and legislators to discuss current banking topics and what s on the horizon. On the first morning, the stage is set with an American Bankers Association briefing, discussing current legislation on the Hill and providing the group with the needed information to present our concerns accordingly. During the trip, we had the opportunity to visit with Senator Tom Cotton, Senator John Boozman, Representative Rick Crawford, Representative Steve Womack, Representative Bruce Westerman and Representative French Hill. We are fortunate in Arkansas that our legislators see the benefit of community banks, and are all strong advocates for the banking industry. One of the highlights of this year s trip was the opportunity to visit President Lincoln s Cottage for a guided tour of the home where he stayed during the summer months, and where the Emancipation Proclamation was drafted. After the tour, we had dinner on the cottage lawn and visited with statewide colleagues, Arkansas State Bank Commissioner Candace Franks, and legislative staff members. As a young banker, it is an honor to be involved in shaping issues that affect the banking industry. We meet face to face with regulators and have candid conversations about how the rules and regulations they are writing affect us as community bankers, and the people of our state. We need to remember the staffers, as many of them are listening to us and of similar age, so they can relate to us and carry our message. I can t thank the ABA and their staff enough for their hard work, and allowing the Emerging Leaders Section to be a part of the Annual Washington Visit, and the scholarships they provide for ELS members to attend. This was my second time to attend the Annual Washington Visit, and I have to admit the first trip was a little overwhelming and fast paced. I would recommend all ELS members take the trip at least once, in order to get an understanding of the legislative process and become acquainted with the legislators. They truly do want to hear about our banking experiences, so we need to inform them to allow them to make better decisions that will affect their constituents (our customers) and ultimately our state economy. ELS PRESIDENT KEVIN THOMPSON Vice President - Lending Centennial Bank Fayetteville ABA EMERGING LEADERS SECTION COUNCIL KEVIN THOMPSON PRESIDENT Centennial Bank, Fayetteville BLAKE FLETCHER VICE PRESIDENT Stone Bank, Little Rock JOHN ANDERSON SEC./TREAS. Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff EDUARDO ABRIL GROUP 4 First State Bank of DeQueen, DeQueen JOHN BOLLINGER GROUP 3 The Bank of Fayetteville, Fayetteville JACOB BOX GROUP 5 Simmons Bank, Dumas TYLER DAVIS GROUP 4 Diamond Bank, Ashdown BRANDON GENTRY GROUP 1 Cross County Bank, Wynne ROBERT HARGIS GROUP 5 Parkway Bank, Monticello BURT HICKS GROUP 5 Simmons Bank, Pine Bluff ANDY HORTON GROUP 1 Fidelity National Bank, Marion BLAKE JOHNSON GROUP 1 Evolve Bank, Jonesboro MATT LAFORCE GROUP 2 First Security Bank, Searcy GREG MCCARROLL GROUP 2 Centennial Bank, Little Rock HUNTER NORTON GROUP 3 First Security Bank, Fayetteville GEORGE PURVIS GROUP 3 Cornerstone Bank, Eureka Springs BEN RIDINGS GROUP 2 Bank of the Oarks, Little Rock HUNTER WINDLE GROUP 4 The Malvern National Bank, Malvern WHAT IS THE EMERGING LEADERS SECTION? The Emerging Leaders Section (ELS) was organized by the Arkansas Bankers Association Board of Directors to provide information concerning educational opportunities available for its members. The ELS was established to provide leadership training for young bankers, to enhance banking careers, offer its members the opportunity to learn, network, and be productive members of the banking profession. 6 The Arkansas Banker October 2015

7 WASHINGTON UPDATE GOV. FRANK KEATING President & CEO American Bankers Association Mapping Banks Community Commitment To a typical retail customer, banks are a place where you make deposits or take out a loan. While that may be the fundamental definition of a bank, you and I know banks do so much more. You are custodians of your communities, leaders that help identify needs and develop solutions to help your towns and cities thrive. That commitment to community reveals itself in many ways, from creative financing that helps an affordable housing project get off the ground to extraordinary levels of volunteerism. The AmBA Foundation celebrates this spirit of banking every year with our Community Commitment Awards. And now we are proclaiming it through our website. Visit aba.com/communityengagement and you ll find an interactive map of the United States linking you to numerous examples of banks community engagement. The examples, drawn from the entries we have received since 2012 for our awards, showcase bank innovations in the areas of affordable housing, community and economic development, financial education, serving nontraditional borrowers and the underbanked, protecting older Americans and volunteerism. The map can be searched by state, program type, bank size and key word. This is just a sampling, of course. The content will expand each year as we log more entries to our awards. (If you d like to see your bank s efforts listed on the map, be sure to submit an entry next spring.) It s fitting that the AmBA Foundation unveiled this new resource at a White House Conference on Aging this summer. The White House had invited Scott Dueser, president and CEO of First Financial Bank Texas and a member of both the AmBA and AmBA Foundation boards, to that conference to discuss the approach his bank has taken to protect senior citizens from fraud. With elder financial fraud growing as Baby Boomers age, the White House was looking to spotlight solutions that work. Scott s Fraud Busters program a partnership between the bank, local police and Adult Protective Services is such a solution. It has saved senior customers nearly $1 million in fraud in the past year, and its presence on our Community Engagement map helps alert fellow banks to ways they can similarly protect their vulnerable, aging customers. We hope that by sharing the details of our program and what s made us successful in protecting our customers, other banks will be encouraged to adopt similar initiatives, Scott said at the map s unveiling. The AmBA Foundation is not stopping there when it comes to providing bankers with solutions for serving older Americans. In September, we announced a new financial education program called Safe Banking for Seniors. As with the foundation s popular Teach Children to Save program, Safe Banking for Seniors will provide bankers with resources like lesson plans, event materials, best practices and media outreach tools to help them educate seniors and caregivers about elder financial abuse. (Learn more or sign up at aba.com/ seniors.) I strongly encourage your participation in this program. You and bankers across the country can be the first line of defense against what is becoming an epidemic of fraud against our aging population. Educate your customers about common scams targeting seniors. Train your staff on spotting signs of abuse. Partner with other organizations to expand your reach. Ensuring our seniors can bank securely is yet another way banks can demonstrate their commitment to their communities and change the definition of banking American Bankers Association. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 7

8 Get to know Congressman Bruce Westerman Hometown: Alma Mater: Hot Springs B.S., University of Arkansas M.F., Yale University Elected to Office: November 4, 2014 Committee Assignments House Committee on the Budget House Committee on Natural Resources House Subcommittee on Federal Lands House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology House Subcommittee on the Environment (Vice Chair) House Subcommittee on Research and Technology Click here to learn more about Congressman Bruce Westerman. Contact Congressman Westerman 8 The Arkansas Banker April October Congressman Bruce Westerman 130 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C Web: Contacts: Vivian Moeglein, Chief of Staff vivian.moeglein@mail.house.gov Michael Lambert, Legislative Assistant michael.lambert@mail.house.gov Jonathan Shuffield, Legislative Director jonathan.shuffield@mail.house.gov Jason McGehee, District Director jason.mcgehee@mail.house.gov

9 From an economic standpoint, what is the major focus of the session? And what can we expect to see result from this focus? This congressional session saw the first balanced budget passed by Congress in more than five years, with more than $5.3 trillion in budget cuts in less than ten years. The balanced budget will put the United States on a path to fiscal responsibility. It is healthy for our government, and it is health for our economy. Give us a progress report regarding ongoing measures for regulatory relief for Arkansas s hometown banks. Dodd-Frank has been disastrous for local community banks. The result has been mergers of small local banks with larger banks able to absorb the regulatory burdens passed down from Washington. A repeal of Dodd-Frank is necessary to keep community banks in Arkansas and elsewhere in business. I know Congressman French Hill and our colleagues on the House Committee on Financial Services are hard at work to reform this legislation that has done more harm than good for community banks across Arkansas. List goals you have to alleviate the regulatory burden of hometown banks. The ultimate goal is a repeal of Dodd-Frank. Repealing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or at least ensuring there is actual oversight of the Bureau Is another way we could alleviate regulatory burden. Will you be sponsoring legislation? I have co-sponsored H.R. 3118, the repeal of Dodd- Frank. This bill would ensure community banks would not be negatively impacted by legislation that was originally intended to regulate Wall Street instead of Main Street. What is the best way for individual bankers to let you know their views on legislation that affects your constituents? Bankers should not only join professional organizations like the ABA, but they should be involved in their professional organizations and take opportunities to participate in trips to Washington or hosting meetings at home in Arkansas. These fly-ins and hometown meetings allow members of Congress the opportunity to hear directly from industry professionals who must execute the regulations coming from Washington. We often times do not know how bills are impacting constituents without direct contact. Involvement by industry professionals is key. Congressman Bruce Westerman speaks about his work in the U.S. House of Representatives during an interview with 5 News anchor Jay Plyburn. October April 2015 The Arkansas Banker 9

10 What are you most proud of regarding your leadership in the state of Arkansas? There are several highlights of my leadership in the Arkansas General Assembly and on the Fountain Lake School Board. But it all pales in comparison to being a father and husband to an amazing family. What do you do on the weekends? I attend events, spend time with my family, attend church, teach Sunday school, and catch up on chores. What are the last two books you read? Fearless by Eric Blehm. The book is a story about SEAL Team Six sailor Adam Brown of Hot Springs, who died fighting in Afghanistan....I have started several other books, but spend much of my time reading committee reports, briefing papers, and legislation....and the last two movies you saw? The last movie I saw was McFarland. I cannot remember any other films I have seen recently. As I stated above, time is limited these days. Congressman Bruce Westerman tours Weyerhaeuser Wood Products in Emerson on Sept. 3. Westerman, the only professional forester in Congress, knows firsthand the impact of timber on the Fourth District economy. Bankers should be involved in their professional organizations and take opportunities to participate in trips to Washington or hosting meetings at home in Arkansas. We often times do not know how bills are impacting constituents without direct contact. Involvement by industry professionals is key. -Congressman Bruce Westerman 10 The Arkansas Banker September October

11 ABA Webinars ABA Professional Development Webinars... Provide the option of training as many employees as you wish for one price, all from the convenient location of your home institution! Building & Sustaining a Business Banking Performance Culture 10/29/2015 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. IRAs: Way Beyond the Basics 10/29/ :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Landscape of Agriculture Today and Tomorrow: Part II 10/29/ :00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Auditing: Part III Advertising 10/29/2015 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. The Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Checklist 10/29/2015 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Understanding & Using the New FFIEC Cybersecurity Tool 10/30/2015 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Keys To Understanding Cash Flow From Tax Returns: Part III 11/3/2015 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Cash Flow: Part III 11/3/2015 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Appraisals: Part III 11/3/ :30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Loan Documentation: Top 10 Mistakes & Top 25 Questions 11/4/2015 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Robbery Procedures, Counterfeit and Fraudulent Items 11/4/ :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Endorsements: A To Z 11/6/2015 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Appraisals: Part IV 11/10/ :30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Cash Flow: Part IV 11/10/2015 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Keys To Understanding Cash Flow From Tax Returns: Part IV 11/10/2015 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 pm Accounting for OREO & ALLL: Part I 11/10/2015 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Critical Issues on Power of Attorney Documents 11/13/2015 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Accounting for OREO & ALLL: Part II 11/16/2015 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Mortgage Loan Originator Required Training Series: Part III 11/17/ :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Critical Issues on Certificates of Deposit (CDs) 11/18/2015 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Dealing With Appraisals: Regulations and Requirements 12/3/2015 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. IRS Information Reporting: What You Need To Know 12/17/ :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. For more information about ABA Webinars, log on to or call October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 11

12 Government Relations: Annual Washington Visit Pushing the Pendulum A group of 27 bankers and guests made the trip to our nation s capital September for the ABA s Annual Washington Visit. This year s event started out with something different: a dinner reception at President Lincoln s Cottage. In addition to networking and dining on the lawn with Legislative Assistants, Congressman French Hill, and Senator John Boozman, our group was able to tour the historic estate, even taking the opportunity to stand in the very room where President Lincoln drafted the Emancipation Proclamation. While a new tradition for us, events of this nature will continue during our Washington Visits. American Bankers (AmBA) opened their doors to our group on Wednesday morning with breakfast and prep work. We discussed current bills and the approaches to get them moving, including what to say to your Congressmen when you call or write, and pointers to keep in mind when conveying your message. An important takeaway from this session is to focus on specific stories concerning the impact of federal over-regulation on customers, such as inability to receive a loan, or the amount of time it now takes a customer to receive those monies. While at AmBA, our group met with representatives from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for a briefing. It was nice to have them on our turf, if you will, and a mostly candid discussion commenced, including much about TRID and its effective date this month. CFPB verbally assured us that examiners will not examine immediately following the TRID effective date, but will instead look at a best efforts approach. 12 The Arkansas Banker October 2015 VP / DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AVA FRANKS Congressman French Hill speaks with ABA Chairman Robert Taylor, Parkway Bank, Rogers; and his wife, Judy, during the group s dinner reception at President Lincoln s Cottage. Discussion advanced to small customer loans. CFPB said they need to hear from the bankers that make small loans 1, because they want to know how big the market is for these loans. Our bankers immediately spoke up almost simultaneously with examples of why one would need a small loan in Arkansas: air units, car maintenance, Christmas presents, catch-up money! Our bankers deal with these issues on a daily basis, and know what matters Arkansas customers face; as one banker stated, Idealistically, CFBP s lending works; realistically, our customers need their money now. Next, we met with the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) for lunch and strategizing among allies. CSBS left us with this message: Congress has a short attention span and you have to keep coming. If you do not stay in front of them, they re going to forget us, even if it is frustrating and you feel like you re saying the same thing over and over. From CSBS to a brief stop at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), we then marched onward to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Similarly to the CFPB, the OCC expressed that examiners will execute fines for those that blatantly disregard the rules, and intend to take a checks-andbalances approach with regard to fines. The chief of staff affirmed that we aren t expecting perfection on day one, we expect effort. After a bit of discussion surrounding cybersecurity and its impact on our banks, we were off to the Capitol to meet with Senator Boozman for our final meeting of the day. Senator Boozman sat among us and discussed the universal impact of Federal over-regulation: if you can t get a home loan, you aren t buying plumbing fixtures to go in those homes. We broached S. 774, the Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act, which, among other issues, mandates a 60-day time frame for examination reports. The Senator was interested to hear examples of turn-around periods for Federal exam 1. The determination of what constituted a small loan was debated, but seemed to range below $8,000 for CFPB.

13 (Above) Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne, Wynne; House Financial Services Committee Chairman Congressman Frank Hensarling (R-TX); Robert Taylor, Parkway Bank, Rogers; and Jim Taylor, First Security Bancorp, Fayetteville. (Left) Arkansas bankers had a sit-down meeting with Congressman John Boozman during the Annual Washington Visit, with conversation focusing on overregulation and its impact on bank customers. reports. Examples such as these help our Representatives with negotiations and in testimony. Thursday was spent at the U.S. Capitol. Our morning began with a breakfast meeting with Congressmen Steve Womack, French Hill, and Bruce Westerman, during which Congressman Womack explained the importance of keeping our majority makers, or members with seniority. Congressman Hill gave some very good advice: call Congressional staffers to tell your stories and facts. The information you share with our Congressmen becomes ammunition at the negotiation table. Senator Cotton and Jonathan Hiler, Cotton s Legislative Assistant, reiterated the need for stories. When our bankers shared customer impact accounts, they took notes. One banker recounted the story of a long-term customer who would rather borrow from the bank at a higher rate than do business with someone he did not know, yet the bank was unable to lend to that customer. The Senator promised he would help bankers get language into the bills that would offer the most relief, but stated he could not promise he would vote for that bill because he did not know what would ultimately be packed into it. The stakes are high in Washington right now. Perhaps one of the more spontaneous opportunities we had during our trip was the chance to have our last meeting in a House Committee room with Congressman Rick Crawford. The Congressman asked each banker to introduce him or herself and provide an example of needed relief, which turned into a we didn t cause these problems discourse. With regard to federal relief, an Emerging Leader declared: I m ready for the pendulum to swing the other way. We just have to keep pushing. These trips are always good, beneficial, and worth our bankers time; these trips are also vital to federal regulatory relief. Face time with your Congressman is of paramount importance because it is how we keep our message in the forefront of the Cathy Owen, Eagle Bank, Little Rock, introduces herself to Congressman Rick Crawford during the group s final meeting of the trip on Thursday, September 17. Congressman Steve Womack along with Congressmen Hill and Westerman had a breakfast meeting with the Arkansas bankers. fight. Share your stories, call your Congressman; we do not have much longer before the year runs out, so let s push on. Send me examples of Federal Law impact on your customers at ava.franks@arkbankers.org! Cary Martin of Little Rock Tours, Little Rock, AR LENDING EMPOWERMENT - together with your bank - arcapital.com October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 13

14 Investing in Arkansans Southern Bancorp Gives Back With $2 Million CDFI Fund Award Southern Bancorp Inc., one of the nation s largest Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), was awarded $2 million, the maximum available under the Financial Assistance program of the U.S. Treasury s CDFI Fund. The competitive awards, which are presented after a rigorous evaluation based on a CDFI s abilities and success in providing financial access to underserved communities, totaled just over $200 million to 195 organizations in The CDFI Program invests in and builds the capacity of financial institutions serving rural and urban communities across the nation that lack adequate access to affordable financial products and services. Since 1996, the CDFI Fund has awarded more than $1.5 billion, helping build a nationwide network of more than 950 CDFIs located in every state, all focused on economically empowering the communities they serve. There are currently nine CDFI-Certified financial institutions in Arkansas, including all three of Southern s entities, including Southern Bancorp, Inc., the bank s holding company; Southern Bancorp Bank; and Southern Bancorp Community Partners; Arkansas Capital Corporation, Little Rock; the Bank of Lake Village, Lake Village; Communities Unlimited, Inc., Fayetteville; Fordyce Bank & Trust Company, Fordyce; FORGE, Inc., Hutsville; and Southeast Arkansas Bank Corporation, Lake Village These important community partners are not only on the frontlines of economically distressed communities providing needed capital and credit, they are building a more inclusive economy which benefits the nation as a whole, said CDFI Fund Director Annie Donovan, with the announcement of the 2015 award recipients in September. These awards highlight how much the CDFI Program has contributed in its 20 year history towards building a strong network of CDFIs across the country. As one of the nation s first financial institutions to be designated as a CDFI, Southern Bancorp has a long history of working with the Fund to ensure financial access to its communities in Arkansas and Mississippi. We are honored to have been chosen as a 2015 CDFI Fund award recipient, said Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc. This award will be used to further Southern s mission of creating economic opportunity by increasing lending capacity in our communities, with a focus on providing much-needed financing to entrepreneurs who are growing their businesses and creating jobs. Southern has received awards three out of the last four years, and has a track record of providing access to credit and banking services to underserved communities. Since the start of 2011, Southern has had more than 6,000 new loan customers, including small businesses, sole proprietorships, and individuals; the bank s loan portfolio has grown from $612 million in 2011 to more than $814 million today, with the majority of those loans being made in underserved, economically distressed communities. Southern s community services, including financial education and empowerment programs, have also grown during this time period. For example, the bank s free tax preparation program has grown to In 2014, at the age of 63, Vernetha Jackson of Helena-West Helena realized her dream of homeownership. She worked with Southern Bancorp Community Partners to improve her financial know-how, understand the home buying process and later get a mortgage that fit her needs. Mrs. Jackson is a great example of how lives are changed through Southern s work as a CDFI. To hear Mrs. Jackson s story and others, visit Click here to hear more about Mrs. Jackson s story! 14 The Arkansas Banker October 2015

15 Southern employees help out at last year s Downtown Arkadelphia Crawfest. The bank is a longtime sponsor of the Andy Allison Super Kids Fun Run that supports a local scholarship. Southern Bancorp s Community Corp organizes and supports this great event. 2,906 families served in 2014, returning more than $22 million to Southern s communities since In noting the impact this award would have on their communities, Southern cited several staggering statistics regarding the financial status of many communities they serve: In 2012, CNBC reported that Mississippi ranked 50th and Arkansas 40th in terms of access to capital. Additionally, the Small Business Administration reported in 2013 that the number of business loans in Arkansas and Mississippi had declined by 38% and 63%, respectively, since The FDIC s most recent (2012) national study of unbanked households found that 15.1% of Mississippi households and 12.3% of Arkansas households did not have checking accounts or other banking services, compared to 8.2% nationally. More than 23% of Mississippi residents and 28% of Arkansas residents use payday lenders, a statistic related to the limited number of banks and credit unions in much of our region that contributes to the reliance on fringe lenders by many microentrepreneurs and other small sole proprietors. In the majority of our markets, we are either the only insured depository institution or one of just a few. This is a problem for rural communities, and this award will help us to address it, even if Learn why so many bankers have already partnered with Foundation Life. GROW YOUR INSURANCE PROGRAM TODAY! only to a small degree, Williams said. For three decades, Southern Bancorp has served some of rural America s most economically distressed communities, not only because it is our mission, but because we believe that those communities and the families living within them matter, said Williams. This award will provide additional resources to help entrepreneurs get off the ground, help existing businesses grow, and help families build the net worth necessary to create generational financial strength. Southern hopes that their investment in Arkansas communities will have an outward ripple effect throughout the state, and hope that other banks will join them in their ongoing investment in Arkansas communities. According to Williams, as a family of three CDFIs, including a less regulated loan fund, Southern has additional tools that enable them to work with other banks striving to better their communities. This can be a win-win situation for many banks as these types of partnership can often be counted toward CRA, he said. I d encourage any Arkansas banks looking to join us in our effort to improve the lives of those living in our state to contact me at any time. Other Arkansas financial institutions named among the 2015 awardees are the Bank of Lake Village, and Fordyce Bank & Trust Company foundationlifeinsurance.com For more information on the Community Development Financial Institution Fund, log on to October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 15

16 2015 Women in Banking Conference November 17, 2015 Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Click here for more details on the Women in Banking Conference! Women take the lead! The Arkansas Bankers Association is pleased to announce its first ever Women in Banking Conference, designed to empower and inspire women at all levels of the Arkansas banking industry. This conference gives women the opportunity to network, compare notes with those who have similar challenges and successes, and learn about management, leadership, industry issues, and personal development. Make plans to join other professional women from around the state and find your inspiration and empowerment! For more details, and to register, contact the ABA Professional Development Department at or via at Conference Agenda 8:00 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:45 a.m. Welcome & Announcements Arkansas Bankers Association 9:00 a.m. Welcome Candace Franks Arkansas State Bank Department 9:15 a.m. A Passion for Your Profession Becky McCrary 10:30 a.m. Coffee Break 10:45 a.m. Obits and Other Obtuse Observations Dr. Robin E. Bowen Arkansas Tech University 11:05 a.m. Arkansas Banking in 2016 Julie Stackhouse Federal Reserve Bank, St. Louis 12:00 p.m. Networking Lunch 1:00 p.m. Women in Banking Panel Mary Beth Brooks, The Bank of Fayetteville Judy Lawton, Heartland Bank Cathy Owen, Eagle Bank & Trust Susie Smith, Simmons Bank 2:00 p.m. Giving Back: Community Involvement Susie Smith Simmons Bank 2:45 p.m. Refreshment Break 3:00 p.m. Making an Impact on Banking Legislation Ava Franks Arkansas Bankers Association 3:30 p.m. Lessening the Stress of Service Becky McCrary 4:30 p.m. Adjourn 16 The Arkansas Banker October 2015

17 Featured Speakers Dr. Robin Bowen is the president of Arkansas Tech University. She is the first female president of a public, four-year university in Arkansas. She was named one of AY Magazine s Most Powerful Women and received the Arkansas Traveler certificate from the State of Arkansas. Dr. Bowen is passionate about advancing education at all levels, and enhancing economic development in Arkansas. Panelists Ava Franks is the Vice President / Director of Government Relations for the Arkansas Bankers Association. Prior to joining the ABA, Franks served as associate counsel to the Arkansas Insurance Department. She is proficient in drafting rules and bills, and has been active at the Arkansas Capitol during recent sessions. Franks received her Juris Doctorate from the William H. Bowen School of Law. Candace Franks was appointed as Bank Commissioner by Governor Mike Beebe in 2007 and was reappointed to a second four-year term in On December 4, 2014, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced he would retain Franks as Commissioner to continue her leadership role. As Bank Commissioner, Franks oversees the Arkansas State Bank Department. Commissioner Franks most recently served a one-year term through May 2015 as Chairman of the Conference of Bank Supervisors. Becky McCrary is an internationally recognized expert on relationship building. Using personal experiences, hold-your-face humor, and unimaginable insight, she guides audiences to a profound belief in their own abilities, passions, and power. She spent twenty years in financial services: performed teller transactions, opened new accounts, approved and processed consumer loans, originated mortgage loans, managed branch operations, developed regional business partners and inspired her staff. Susie Smith serves as Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Performance at Simmons First National Corporation. Smith was named by US Banker as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2004 and Top 25 Women to Watch in Arkansas Business honored Susie as one of their 25 For the Future in She is a graduate of the Professional Masters in Banking Program at the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. Julie Stackhouse is Senior Vice President and Managing Officer of Banking Supervision, Credit, Community Development and Learning Innovation for the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Prior to joining the St. Louis Fed, Stackhouse was Vice President and Managing Officer of the Risk Management Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. In addition, she was formerly an officer with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Successful people understand that you don t need to make things complicated. - Anne McKevitt Mary Beth Brooks President & CEO The Bank of Fayetteville Fayetteville Judy Lawton Chief Financial Officer Heartland Bank Little Rock Cathy Owen Chairman Eagle Bank & Trust Little Rock Susie Smith EVP / Corp. Strategy & Performance Simmons Bank Little Rock October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 17

18 A Passion for Your Profession ABOUT THE AUTHOR Becky McCrary, CSP, is an internationally recognized expert in sales and service. She spent 20 years in the trenches of financial services and now shares those successes through keynote presentations and All Staff Training. You can reach her at , on Facebook or LinkedIn. You can even Google her; she won t feel a thing. Hear more from Becky McCrary at the Women in Banking Conference! Do you want a career in banking? I thought I did. Then I thought, again. Webster defines a career as a job or profession that someone does for a long time. Is that appealing? Does that make you eager to get up in the morning? Feel like you make a difference, right? Now compare that to a passion. Webster defines passion as an intense or violent emotion. Society defines it as an allconsuming channel of activity. Not just going through the motions, but eagerly embracing it. If you are going to spend time in the banking industry and you want to be excited about that time, which would you rather have? My banking career began as a part-time teller, where I first met Margaret, the Vice President of Human Resources. She had a powerful presence. She had expectations of me long before I had any of myself. She challenged me and followed up. Margaret held me accountable for my cash drawer, but also for my hours spent. She didn t believe in just putting in your time. It was Margaret who introduced me to the concept of renting my time. I was renting hours to the bank; hours I could never use for anything else. I could let those hours drain me or empower me. I could go through the motions or embrace the experiences. I could surround myself with negative people or with encouragers. It was all the same amount of time. It can be easy to fall into the rut. Go through the motions. Follow everyone else. Taking responsibility for your hours 18 The Arkansas Banker October 2015

19 worked requires you to notice what you are exchanging for them. Time with your family, reading a real book, walking with your hand wrapped around a leash, travel, health, attitude, even sleep. As a mortgage loan officer, title insurance policies helped protect my customers and provided a monetary incentive for me. Other loan officers told me it could not be done. The attorneys would refuse to close my mortgage loans, because I was taking those insurance premiums right out of their pockets. It wouldn t work in my market. Then in walks Alice, Vice President of the Insurance Group. She gave me some talking points and I sold a policy. She noticed immediately and called to congratulate me. The third month, I sold more title insurance policies than any other loan officer in the statewide company. I stopped listening to those who weren t doing it, cashed the checks and never looked back. Have you? Women today hold influence in every aspect of banking. Tellers have more interaction and opportunity to make a difference in the financial lives of your customers than any other position. Accountants are more aware of requirements to keep you safe and sound. Human Resource professionals are acutely focused on getting the right people in the right seats. Senior executives are dedicated to bringing up the next generation. And much more. These and so many other women laid the foundation of my twenty plus year banking profession. This foundation is built on bricks named partnership, self-assurance, appreciation, acceptance and perseverance. It is laid with laughter, energy, forgiveness, thoughtfulness and dedication. And it is held together by mortar that looks just like the interlocked arms of generations of banking women who didn t settle for a career. They developed a passion. I m so excited about joining you in Little Rock on Tuesday, November 17, Yes, there will be content. But it is so much more than that. You are bombarded with content. The inaugural Women in Banking Conference will help you learn to make sense of the content. Meet women with similar challenges and those who have found the secret passageway. Meet those looking for their places and those who make it a practice to be a Sherpa. And who knows. You may even discover your passion Becky McCrary, CSP STONE BANK IS LOOKING FOR LENDERS WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION If you re an experienced bank loan officer who wants to make money and an impact on your community, consider Stone Bank. With openings in several Arkansas locations, including the Little Rock area, Stone Bank is a new brand with a strong base to build your portfolio on. Whether Commercial, SBA or Agri, lending experience is a big plus. Contact Kirby Williams at kwilliams@stonebank.com Bank On A Solid Foundation Stone Bank was formerly known as Ozark Heritage Bank. October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 19

20 WOMEN IN BANKING ROUND-TABLE: Four Arkansas Executives Share Their Perspectives Mary Beth Brooks President & CEO, The Bank of Fayetteville Mary Beth Brooks has had a career in banking that spans more than 26 years, including posts in Fort Smith, Little Rock, and Memphis. In addition to her service at The Bank of Fayetteville, she has taken an active role in the Northwest Arkansas Council, Fayetteville Public Schools Foundation, and Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. Brooks has held the position of President & CEO since Judy Lawton Chief Financial Officer, Heartland Bank Judy Lawton has been in banking for 34 years, currently serving as CFO and COO for Heartland Bank, and President and CEO of Rock Service Company, LLC. Lawton has served on the Arkansas Tech University Foundation Board and currently serves on the Finance Committee and is Secretary/Treasurer of the Heartland Foundation. Judy was appointed as the Treasurer of the Arkansas Bankers Associated for 2014 to Cathy Owen Chairman, Eagle Bank As the Chairman of State Holding Company, which owns 99% of Eagle Bank, Cathy Owen is actively involved in the daily management of the financial institution. In 1986, she led the purchase of a second bank by the holding company, and in 2012 consolidated the two banks. Owen is a partner in H&M Realty and Hastings Holdings, and the Managing Partner of One Financial Centre and Markham West. Susie Smith EVP / Corp. Strategy & Performance, Simmons Bank Susie Smith has more than 27 years of banking experience with expertise in corporate leadership, customer-focused relationship management, merger integration, strategic planning, marketing and consumer strategy. Smith currently serves as board chair of Delta Dental of Arkansas, as a board member of Renaissance Health Service Corporation (Lansing, MI), and president of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership. What were your career goals when you first entered the workforce? How has that changed over time? MB My early goal (from what I remember!) was to learn skills and add value to the bank. I think it was ingrained in me as a child to treat each job like I was going to do that job the rest of my life, so I was intent on learning something from someone every single day. Although it likely drove some of my co-workers crazy along the way, I was always asking questions and seeking increased responsibilities and challenges. How has that changed over time?...this is an especially appropriate question as I approach a career change after almost 30 years in banking. The purpose in life is a life of purpose is my motto. Who knows what s next! JL I planned on spending my career in public accounting. When I moved for personal reasons, there were no public accounting positions but I was able to find a position utilizing my accounting background in banking as the Internal Auditor/Compliance Officer for the bank. From there, I moved up to Controller and then to Chief Financial Officer and then in addition to the Chief Financial Officer, I added the role of Chief Operations Officer. Also, I was recently 20 The Arkansas Banker October 2015

21 involved in the formation of Rock Service Corporation, which is a subsidiary of the Rock Bancshares, Inc., and for which I serve as the President and CEO. The subsidiary is a nationwide consulting firm specializing in Technology, Compliance, and Accounting services. CO I began working in banking in 1974 at the age of 16, as a summertime job, with no intentions of making banking my career. At that point I just wanted to prove my worth and to do a good job. By the end of that first summer, I was hooked on banking. I continued to work summers and holidays, learning many different positions as I filled in for whoever was on vacation. My inspiration was Betty Wilkinson, who was President of the Bank of Greenwood and sat on the Arkansas State Bank Department Board. She was the only highly positioned female banker I was familiar with at the time. My goal was to rise up through the ranks and to be a leader in banking. SS My professional career began in public accounting, and I did not have a specific career road map in mind. I did know that the CPA certification and training would lead to a variety of business opportunities. I wanted to be financially stable and to be in a position where I loved my job, respected and enjoyed the team I worked with and wanted to be intellectually challenged. Those goals are still true today. How do you maintain a work/life balance? MB Not always well! My husband and I juggle the responsibilities the best we can. About 12 years ago, I was working so much that I went five days without seeing my one-year-old awake. After overcoming the complete working mom guilt, I realized that my priorities had to change immediately. I learned that to have a long, healthy, productive and happy life and career, you need to understand the value of pace. There are times when you need to throttle up and there are times when you can throttle down. Self-awareness is crucial. Doing this has helped me enjoy the journey as much as the destination. JL This can be a challenge for many people, including myself. I ve learned to work hard through the week and use good time management skills. I m always putting in extra hours to make sure I can enjoy my personal time on weekends with as little stress as possible. I was a single mom working in this business, and I ve learned the importance of managing my personal time while also providing an example of strong work ethics to my son. CO Although maintaining a work/life balance has gotten much easier since my children are grown, it is still a constant challenge, and would not be possible without an extremely supportive husband and family. SS It is very difficult to do in this age of digital technology when you are available 24/7. You have to turn off the and phone and respect your private time both the time for yourself and time for your family. Now that our kids are grown, it is easier to find time to read a book and relax! What is the most important lesson you ve learned in your career to date? MB Here are some of my favorites: Embrace change. EMPOWER mid-level managers let them make big decisions and then back them up when they make mistakes. They are the future of the bank! Address problems straight on and don t always avoid confrontation. Share with your entire team...the good, the bad and the ugly. Commend in public/reprimand in private. When frustrated or angry, sleep on big decisions before responding. Learn from your mistakes and from others mistakes. Learn as much from bad managers as from good ones (emulate the good ones and never forget how the bad ones make people feel). Train/Cross-Train/Mentor Take the time to educate your team; assign unexpected people to committees; encourage people to work in all areas of the bank to develop a broader knowledge; explain (even when you don t have time) decisions in order to educate the future leaders; encourage job rotation to improve understanding; request and actually October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 21

22 act upon feedback from partners at all levels. The paybacks are remarkable. I am still learning lessons every day! JL Be willing to accept and adapt to change, and make the most out of whatever exists in the current banking environment. Also, early on in my career I was told that it was alright to make mistakes just don t make the same one twice. CO I have learned many lessons throughout my career, making it difficult to name only one. Below are several of my most important and useful lessons: Build a strong network of professional peers, mentors, and staff. It is very important to surround yourself with a strong team of people. Although not absolutely necessary, it is most helpful to include other successful women within this network, who can serve as trusted sounding boards and advisors. It is also important to listen to them. Don t speak just to be saying something. Make your words count. Use slight edges. SS Maya Angelou once said, I ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. I can t think of a better quote to inspire our daily lives and careers. What advice can you offer to women just starting out in banking? MB Learn every aspect of the bank to give you a well-rounded perspective. Make it a goal to serve in all roles from operations to finance to lending. This will give you a much better perspective on how the bank functions, makes money and serves customers. What an amazing career it has been for me! JL Early on, decide where you want your career to lead you and decide what commitments and education it will take to get you there. And then do it. Understand that along the way your priorities may change and that is okay. Be willing to change with them. CO Most of my advice for women is the same as it is for men. Arrive early and be willing to work late. Offer to help others. Volunteer. Listen to those with experience. Dress professional. Be courteous and respectful. Humbly take credit for your work, and accept praise. Apply for higher ranking positions. Share with your supervisor and the HR department your interest in growing your career. Then, be prepared to work twice as hard as a man to earn your position in banking. A favorite quote of one of my female peers is act like a lady, think like a man, and work like a dog. SS Be curious and open minded, have the courage to make mistakes and learn from them, be willing to persevere and always remember to do what is right, not what is easy. We offer practical and effective Risk Management solutions that are appropriate with your institution s risk profile. That s a fancy way of saying, We got your back. BANK MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS STRATEGIC & REGULATORY RISK MANAGEMENT BANK PERFORMANCE guided by principles ddfconsulting.com 22 The Arkansas Banker October 2015

23 Franks: Accept Cyber Tool as a Resource Arkansas state-chartered banks should become more knowledgeable about the Cyber Assessment Tool and determine how the tool can enhance their cyber security protocol, Commissioner Candace Franks said. Franks strongly encourages banks to be pro-active and expeditious in their acceptance of this helpful and timely resource as the regulators work to develop training and processes for incorporating the tool into examination programs. The Bank Department understands the adoption and integration of the tool will be a process, Franks said. Currently, during examinations, we will discuss the assessment tool with bank management and assess their familiarity with the processes identified within this new program. As the regulatory agencies further develop their examination programs to include the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool, we will continue to monitor banks adoption of the tool as part of their information technology risk management. The Cyber Assessment Tool, referred to by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council as the Assessment, was released by the Council on behalf of its members on June 30, The Assessment is designed to help institutions identify their risks and assess their cyber-security preparedness. Financial institutions of all sizes can use the Assessment and other methodologies to perform a self-assessment and develop corresponding risk-management strategies. The FFIEC members the four federal banking regulatory agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the State Liaison Committee plan to update the Assessment as threats, vulnerabilities and operational environments evolve. In addition to the Assessment, the FFIEC is providing related resources that can be accessed on the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool Web page at: Candace Franks The newly released FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool will serve as a valuable asset to the industry in its efforts to address cyber-security risks within their institutions, Franks said. The federal banking regulatory agencies have responded to the release of the assessment, as follows: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency examiners will use the Assessment to supplement examination work to gain a more complete understanding of an institution s inherent risk, risk management practices and controls related to cyber security. The OCC will begin incorporating the Assessment into examinations in late The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation considers use of the tool to be voluntary. FDIC examiners will discuss the tool with institution management during examinations to ensure awareness and assist with answers to any questions. The Federal Reserve plans to utilize the Assessment beginning in late 2015 or early 2016 as part of its examination process when evaluating the cyber-security preparedness of institutions in information technology and safety-andsoundness examinations and inspections. Use of the tool is subject to a Paperwork Act Reduction notice published in the Federal Register. In connection with the issuance of the Assessment, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provided a six-month approval for the collection of this information. The six-month period will end December 31, The OCC has proposed an extension of OMB approval of the collection for the standard three years. The comment period for the OCC s extension proposal was scheduled to end on September 21, A decision by OMB on the OCC s request likely will be made before the current six-month period ends. From the Arkansas State Bank Department The Banker s Advocate, September 30, October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 23

24 125 Years of the Arkansas Bankers Association: Saluting our lady bankers Women have long been a staple of the banking industry in Arkansas and across the country. The following are selected excerpts from a series that ran in The Arkansas Banker during the mid-1930s, Saluting Our Lady Bankers. I have often wondered how many women executives are serving Arkansas banks. Having a little time on my hands, I thumbed through my Bank Directory the other day and discovered that there are 42 lady banker presidents, vice presidents, cashiers, and assistant cashiers. There may be more, not listed in the Directory. Then there are scores of girls working in the banks as stenographers, file clerks, etc....the thought came that it would be an interesting feature to have something on this order in each Banker, or as often as material can be assembled. Women have been doing much of the work in our banks and we feel that everyone would be glad to become better acquainted with these bankeresses. Therefore, watch for a photograph and article to appear regularly. Carolyn E. Gardner The Arkansas Banker Office Editor July 1935 Roberta Fulbright Mrs. Roberta Waugh Fulbright may well lay claim to being one of the busiest women in America. She is the president of the Citizens Bank of Fayetteville, the Fayetteville Mercantile Company, Fayetteville Ice Company, KUOA, Inc., radio station, and Phipps Lumber Company. Mrs. Fulbright picks her own executives, checks up on her own businesses, and is a keen observer of human nature and events. Mrs. Fulbright is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, and a number of civic organizations. July 1935 Mattie Edwards Mrs. Mattie Edwards is President of the Citizens Bank, Booneville. She has been connected with the bank since its organization in She was a stockholder in the old Farmers and Merchants Bank, which failed early in that year, and her work in effecting reorganization caused her selection for the Vice Presidency, which office she held until the death of President John C. Cotner in In addition to being a bank president, Mrs. Edwards for years has owned and managed her farm near Booneville, and other outlying lands. She is truly a native Arkansan, having been born and lived all her life in the state. August 1935 Agnes Bass Succeeding her husband, J.W. Bass, on his death, Mrs. Agnes Bass has been president of the Security Bank, Harrison, since July She spends part of each day in the bank and deeps in close touch with all its affairs. Mrs. Bass owns and operates a 1,600-acre farm and is raising white-faced Herefords. She owns several business houses and residential properties in Harrison, personally handling the rentals. When asked about club affiliations, Mrs. Bass laughingly said she was a member of every club that would have her...the Business & Professional Women s Club, Book and Library Club, Twentieth Century Club, Apollo Music Club, and the Arkansas Federation of Women s Clubs. November 1935 Lillian Cook In June 1918, Mrs. Lillian Cook joined the staff of the Cross County Bank in Wynne. She was put in charge of collections, helped on the books, and did the many odd jobs of the bank. In June 1933, the bank rewarded her years of ability and faithfulness by making her assistant cashier. In her eighteen years with the bank, Mrs. Cook has worked in practically every department. Prior to her bank work, she taught in the St. Francis County and Cross County schools for ten years. She attended Mississippi Women s College in Columbus. July The Arkansas Banker October 2015

25 Jewel Leggett For thirteen years, Mrs. Jewel Leggett has been Assistant Cashier of the Bank of Cabot. The duties of Assistant Cashier in a small town bank are many and varied, and Mrs. Leggett s life is a busy one. Helping with the books, acting as teller, doing most of the typing and the thousand and one other things necessary to banking are some of her daily tasks. She is the only woman employee and the bank force agrees they could hardly get along without her. She took a course at Draughon s Business College in Little Rock, and was bookkeeper for the Ford dealer in Cabot before going with the bank. In March of 1933, Mrs. Leggett was the only employee on duty when the bank was robbed by two men. She later had the satisfaction of identifying one of the robbers, who was then sentenced to six years. February 1937 Hattie Freeman Ms. Hattie Freeman is Cashier of the Bank of Mount Holly, where she has worked since 1923, serving as bookkeeper until Cashier Freeman doesn t sit behind a desk all day, as one might be led to think. In reality, she is several persons combined into one doing everything from janitor work to lending money. She has complete charge of the bank, handling both the inside and outside work. Attends to the renting and upkeep of the bank s 25 farms, collecting rent in the fall. Also looks after the sale of timber, oil leases, etc. Ms. Freeman graduated from El Dorado High School and attended Arkansas College at Batesville and Draughon s Business College in Little Rock. June 1937 Zula Freeman Mrs. Zula Freeman is the oldest bank employee in Magnolia and that doesn t mean in age. She has been in bank service in Magnolia longer than any man now there. She began on May 7, 1918, with the Peoples Bank, and since May 1934, with the Citizens Bank, which grew out of the other banks. Her principal work is bookkeeping, but she is capable of doing and does almost any of the work that comes up. Often she acts as teller. Mrs. Freeman graduated from Magnolia High School and attended Magnolia A&M College. She took a business course in Little Rock before joining the bank. Over 19 years of active banking in one town is a pretty good record. Mrs. Freeman is the only woman employed by a bank in Magnolia, is highly regarded by her fellow bankers, and the citizens of Magnolia. July 1937 Fay Castleberry Mrs. Fay Castleberry has been with the Bank of Salem 28 years. For a time, she assisted her husband, Cashier Rex Castleberry. She proved an able helper and was made Assistant Cashier. In 1932, she was elected Cashier and a Director. Mrs. Castleberry s bank training has been through actual experience, and she is capable of handling any part of the work. Mrs. Castleberry is deeply interested in the work of the Arkansas Bankers Association and attends Group Meetings and State Conventions, unless unavoidably prevented. Last year, she served as Vice Chairman of Group 2. January 1938 Esther Gettle Ms. Esther Gettle had planned to be a school teacher, but during her senior year the Arkansas County Bank in Stuttgart needed extra help after school, and Esther took the job. So well did she like the work that, while her school mates were leaving for schools and colleges after graduation, banking took first place in her life. It was in May 1922 that Esther began with the Peoples National Bank of Stuttgart. Machine bookkeeping and teller were her tasks in the beginning. Now she works on the general ledgers, keeps the Federal Deposit Insurance records, has charge of the savings accounts ledger and continues to serve as a teller. Ms. Gettle was one of three employees tending the bank when it was robbed by the notorious Wilbur Underhill and two others in She has been assisting a customer with his safety deposit box, and coming from the vault, walked almost into one of the robbers before she saw his gun. She thought him a bank examiner or machine man. February 1938 October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 25

26 Click here for more details on the 2015 Technology Conference! 2015 TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 18-19, 2015 CROWNE PLAZA, LITTLE ROCK WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 8:00 a.m. Registration / Continental Breakfast 8:45 a.m. ABA Welcome & Announcements 9:00 a.m. The Next Evolution of ISP - Continuous Improvement and Measurement Dr. Kevin Streff, Secure Banking Solutions Maturity has been a term thrown around lately, particularly with the release of the FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool. How does maturity relate to evolving your current ISP to handle new technologies and new threats? What are some of the new technologies community banks are looking to implement, and how do we mitigate the risk? 10:00 a.m. Understanding (and Connecting with) Today s Digital Consumer Eric Cook, WSI Digital Marketing The way consumers get their information, share opinions and interact with brands has changed significantly over the years thanks to the rise of social media and mobile devices. For community banks to remain relevant and visible to the next gen consumer, they need to figure out the right balance between engagement and compliance, while providing interesting and helpful information to keep customers interested in what they have to say. 11:00 a.m. Trade Show / Networking Break 11:30 a.m. The Pulse of Cybersecurity Jerry McClurg, Secure Banking Solutions Over the past few years, cyber-attacks at Sony, the OPM, Target and Ashley Madison have captured headlines. During this session, we ll discuss what we ve learned from this breach, what we can do to better protect ourselves and why cybersecurity professionals are saying it s a game changer. 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 p.m. Breakout Session #1 2:10 p.m. Breakout Session #2 Evolving With Our Business! Breakout Sessions EVERYTHING STARTS WITH YOUR RISK ASSESSMENT Dr. Kevin Streff, Secure Banking Solutions Learn how to transform your risk assessment process into a value added process to your bank, which makes decisions on where to spend your next security dollar or invest your next available hour of time. MUCH ADO ABOUT VENDOR MANAGEMENT Jeff Spann, Secure Banking Solutions It s 10:00 p.m. do you know where your data is? In this ever-changing world of technology, it s imperative that we know and understand WHERE our data is being stored, transmitted, and processed. ALWAYS UP Roger Thomas, Telecomp Learn strategies to keep your LAN and / or WAN Bandwidth redundant! 26 The Arkansas Banker October 2015

27 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Making your Information Security Program Your Best Friend Dr. Kevin Streff, Secure Banking Solutions It is no longer acceptable for IT Compliance to be a simple 41-point inspection checklist of your controls in place at the bank. Regulatory guidance and GLBA statements have always required a risk based Information Security Program to be compliant. Learn how to implement a risk-based IT compliance program that not only meets regulatory and GLBA requirements, but does good security things and provides value to your institution. 10:00 a.m. Empowering Your Employees as Social Advocates to Remain Relevant and Stay Engaged Online Eric Cook, WSI Digital Marketing Did you know that according to Facebook s own metrics, less than 10% of the fans of your page will ever see another post you make (unless you re spending advertising dollars to boost them and get more exposure). Or, did you realize employees are 3x more believable than even the CEO of an organization? When it comes to your social media activities, most community banks are leaving their most valuable assets on the table their staff. While it takes training and careful oversight, a properly trained and social-engaged workforce can provide a tremendous lift to a community bank by helping to get the word out about all that s going on in the organization (and long-term can be a less expensive method of reaching your social audience). 11:00 a.m. Trade Show / Networking Break 11:15 a.m. Keys to a Successful Managed Services Relationship Tom Allen, Mainstream Technologies Sponsored by: Celerit Learn the best practices to manage and leverage a managed services relationship! 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 p.m. You Can t Manage What You Can t Measure - A Primer on Digital Analytics Eric Cook, WSI Digital Marketing With so much of our customers activity now taking place digitally the electronic breadcrumbs they leave behind reveal an awful lot about what they are doing (or not doing) with us online. While to a certain extent the marketing and retail side of the bank needs to know this information, as IT professionals, however, you may be called upon to help build reports, install tracking code or pull information off the core system to help measure customer activity. This session will provide an overview of the various ways that information (and activity) can be tracked and put to use in your bank to make your services and brand message more relevant. 2:00 p.m. 10 Questions about Cybersecurity that all Directors and Senior Managers Need to Know Jeff Spann, Secure Banking Solutions You might not be a Director or even a member of Senior Management, but we do know that your life becomes a lot easier once that level of your organization is bought into Information and Cybersecurity. Here are 10 questions that you can take back home and share with your Directors and Senior Managers, as well as explain, in order to help them understand the importance of Cybersecurity in today s technology age. 3:00 p.m. Adjourn FOR MORE INFORMATION For details and registration information, please log on to or contact the ABA Professional Development Department at Featured Speakers TOM ALLEN Tom Allen is an IT industry veteran with 32 years of experience in the IT industry. As Director of IT Business Development with Mainstream, he is responsible for assisting new clients in developing a multi-year IT plan that includes developing Managed Services for on premise IT, and an offsite backup solution. ERIC COOK Eric Cook, a former community bank executive, now considers himself a digital strategist and works with clients to help them better understand and leverage the power of the Internet as a strategic business tool. He serves as a faculty member Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the topics of social technology. JERRY MCCLURG Jerry McClurg is an IT Consultant for Secure Banking Solutions and adjunct faculty member at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Using real-world cyber-attack techniques, Jerry has successfully compromised hundreds of corporate networks and provided education to them. Jerry holds certifications in CISSP, CISA, and CEH. JEFF SPANN Jeff Spann is an Information Security Consultant with Secure Banking Solutions. He has worked for IBM in Knoxville; as a Technology Sales Manager; and served as the Senior Vice President-Chief Information Officer-Information Security Officer at a mid-sized Community Bank in Central Arkansas for ten years. DR. KEVIN STREFF Dr. Kevin Streff is the founder and managing partner of Secure Banking Solutions, a security consulting firm focused on improving security in financial institutions across the country. He is also Founder of InfraGard South Dakota, a partnership program between private industry and the U.S. government (represented by the FBI). ROGER THOMAS Roger Thomas leads TeleComp s overall business strategy, focusing on bandwidth circuits with across the nation and internationally serviced by TeleComp hardware. He previously worked for Allied (became Alltel, then Windstream) from 83-85, MCI from 86-92, and then LDDS and BellSouth until he started his own business in October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 27

28 Click here to see more photos from the 2015 ABA PAC Golf Tournament! 2015 ABA PAC First Place finishers in the first flight were Scott Saffold, Mark Tiner, John Akin, and Trent Scrogin. Golf Tournament September 28, 2015 Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock Second Place finishers in the first flight were John Manatt, David Burnett, Ross Mote, and Tony Palmer. More than 80 golfers hit the links for the 2015 ABA PAC Golf Tournament on September 28 at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock. The event was held to raise funds for ABA PAC, the bipartisan political action committee, created to unite bankers in providing a strong political voice for the banking industry. ABA PAC provides financial support, through contributions, to the campaigns of candidates who advocate a free and competitive marketplace. Third Place finishers in the first flight were Brian Hyneman, Ben Hyneman, Daniel Robinson, and Wayne Bond. Gary Davis, FPS Gold, Provo, Utah; Means Wilkinson, Farmers Bank, Greenwood; Stanhope Wilkinson, Farmers Bank, Greenwood; and Grant Gordy, First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock. First Place finishers in the second flight were Jeff Lynch, Bill Lynch, Eddie Ramsey, and Michael Bynum. Second Place finishers in the second flight were Jess Sweere, Kevin Keefner, Greg Northern, and Josh Robinson. Judy Lawton, Heartland Bank, Little Rock; and Nathan Austin at the ABA PAC Golf Tournament. Austin scored a holein-one at the tournament, which also secured him a Closest to the Pin prize. Other prize winners were Fred Perkins, Wright Lindsey Jennings, LLP, Little Rock, Closest to the Pin; and Richard Johnson, Simmons Bank, Little Rock, Longest Drive. Thank You to these Sponsors! PREMIER SPONSOR First National Bankers Bank DRINK CART SPONSOR BKD, LLP Third Place finishers in the second flight were Judy Lawton, Nathan Austin, Joe Gregory, and Jeff Fender. 28 CLOSEST TO THE PIN SPONSORS FPS GOLD Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP The Arkansas Banker October 2015 LONGEST DRIVE SPONSOR Southern Pioneer Insurance Companies HOLE SPONSORS Deluxe Financial Services Friday, Eldredge & Clark Law Firm Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC Thomas & Thomas, LLP

29 MEMBER NEWS ARKANSAS BANK DEPARTMENT APPLICATIONS & APPROVALS Merger Application An application to merge Bay Cities Bank, Tampa, Florida, with and into Centennial Bank, Conway, Arkansas, has been approved. September 24, Purchase and Assumption Application An application by Cross County Bank, Wynne, Arkansas, to purchase or assume less than a majority of assets and/or liabilities of SOUTHBank, A Federal Savings Bank, Huntsville, Alabama, with the acquisition of the branch office located at 102 North Baltimore Avenue, Manila, Arkansas, and to operate under the fictitious name First Commercial Bank, has been approved. September 23, An application by Cross County Bank, Wynne, Arkansas, to purchase or assume less than a majority of assets and/or liabilities of SOUTHBank, A Federal Savings Bank, Huntsville, Alabama, with the acquisition of the branch office located at 208 North 2nd Street, Blytheville, Arkansas, and to operate under the fictitious name First Commercial Bank, has been approved. September 23, An application by Cross County Bank, Wynne, Arkansas, to purchase or assume less than a majority of assets and/or liabilities of SOUTHBank, A Federal Savings Bank, Huntsville, Alabama, with the acquisition of the branch office located at 750 West Keiser Avenue, Osceola, Arkansas, and to operate under the fictitious name First Commercial Bank, has been approved. September 23, Take Your Lawmaker to Work Banks from across the state took part in the Take Your Lawmaker to Work movement giving our congressional delegation a firsthand view of the day-to-day workings of the banking industry. If your bank is interested in participating in this program, contact Ava Franks at ava.franks@arkbankers.org, or First Community Bank Named Rising Star Lender First Community Bank was named Rising Star Lender at the 2015 Region VI Mid- America Lender s Conference in Dallas on Aug. 31. Region VI is made up of banks in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The bank greatly increased its number of Small Business Administration loans over the previous year, according to Linda Nelson, the SBA s district director for Arkansas. First Community generated 30 small-business loans totaling $3.2 million from July 1, 2014 to June 30, Working with financial partners and investing in communities by helping fund Reynie Rutledge showed Senator Tom Cotton around First Security Bank in Searcy on September 14. Senator Cotton spoke with the bankers about ATR, TRID, and proposed HMDA changes. First National Bank of Fort Smith hosted Congressman Steve Womack on September 22. During their visit, conversation focused on regulatory relief for Arkansas community bankers. growing businesses is what the SBA lending program is designed to do, and we are pleased to have our lenders in Arkansas recognized for their work, Nelson said. Dale Cole, chairman and chief executive officer of First Community Bank, said seeing growth in small business is a positive sign of a healthy and thriving community. We re pleased to help businesses expand, Cole said. Small businesses are important to every economy. By supporting these businesses, we are growing a healthier community. As a community bank, we are committed to living up to our motto of putting community first. October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 29

30 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT La Twan Cheathem, Arvest Bank, Little Rock; and Wes Womack, Simmons Bank, Little Rock, joined Dr. Dominick on a banker loan committee panel during the school. Arkansans Complete GSB at Colorado The Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC) is pleased to announce the graduation of eight Arkansas banking professionals as a part of the class of 2015: Natalie Bartholomew, First National Bank of NWA, Rogers Drew Chandler, Farmers Bank & Trust, Magnolia Chris Davis, Arkansas State Bank Department, Little Rock William Elliott, Arkansas State Bank Department, Jonesboro Lance Nutt, Arkansas State Bank Department, Little Rock Erica Preston, Chambers Bank, Bentonville Eric Roberts, DD&F Consulting Group, Little Rock Scott Smith, Arkansas State Bank Department, Jonesboro 30 The Arkansas Banker October 2015 Casey Patrick, Community First Bank, Harrison (left) was the Basic Lending School Honor Graduate; and Andrea Rounsavall, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Hazen, was the class valedictorian. GSBC awarded 157 total graduates from across the nation with a certificate in banking in a ceremony which took place Thursday, July 23 at the Folsom Field Skyboxes on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. A total of 21 Arkansas bankers attended the 65th Annual School Session, including the graduates above. GSBC is America s Premier Community Banking School which prepares bankindustry professionals to take on senior management roles within their organizations. Each student has been recognized by his or her bank CEO, president and supervisor as a rising star within their organization. During the 25-month program, which meets two weeks each July for three consecutive years, students are required to complete Basic Lending School 2015 Congratulations to the graduates of the 2015 ABA Basic Lending School! Fifteen bankers participated in this five-day course, covering topics from credit to compliance, to risk management. Instructors included Dr. John Dominick, Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas; John Adams, First Security Bank; Heather Vaughan, Bankers Assurance, LLC; Rosalind Mouser, Simmons First National Bank; and Joe Wessell, BancorpSouth Bank. Graduates of the 2015 ABA Basic Lending School are, in back: Andrea Rounsavall, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Hazen; Kim Smith, First National Bank of Tom Bean, Lewisville; Bryan Dalton, RiverBank, Pocahontas; Casey Patrick, Community First Bank, Harrison; Leslie Hendricks, Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff; Harrison Young, Centennial Bank, Russellville; Corey Burns, Relyance Bank, Pine Bluff; Buddy Smith, First National Bank of Izard County, Horseshoe Bend; Bill Wilcoxson, First National Bank of Lawrence County At Walnut Ridge, Walnut Ridge; and Ed McKinley, Arkansas County Bank, Lockesburg. Seated: Shane Hampton, Signature Bank of Arkansas, Fayetteville; Katie Ratliff, Arvest Bank, Lead Hill; Pennie Lewis, Signature Bank of Arkansas, Brinkley; Sherrie Bogy, Bank of England, England; and Ethan Provost, Centennial Bank, Russellville. Arkansas graduates, in front: Erica Preston and Natalie Bartholomew; second row: Chris Davis, Drew Chandler, Eric Roberts, and Lance Nutt; in back: William Elliott, and Scott Smith. six intersession research projects, oncampus coursework, exams and a bank management simulation.

31 Click here to see more photos from the 2015 ABA Compliance Conference! PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2015 ABA Compliance Conference The ABA and Bankers Assurance hosted the 2015 ABA Compliance Conference, September in Little Rock. The group covered an array of topics, ranging from Commercial Lending Compliance to TRID implementation. Speakers for the event included Shaun Harms and Heather Vaughan, both of Bankers Assurance; Patsy Parkin, Butler Snow Government and Regulatory Group; Bryan Reaves, Superior Consulting; Everett Fields, FDIC; Joe Detchemendy, Federal Reserve; Polly Radford, FDIC, and Michelle Mitchell, OCC. Polly Radford, FDIC, Michelle Mitchell, OCC, and Joe Detchemendy, Federal Reserve, served on a Regulatory Panel during the second day of the Compliance Conference. Attendees network prior to the Compliance Conference. There were a total of 47 banks from across Arkansas represented at the two-day event. BSA/AML Compliance Management With compliance on-topic, 40 bankers stayed after the ABA Compliance Conference to attend a one-day seminar focusing on the Bank Secrecy Act and AntiMoney Laundering programs. Taught by Ken Golliher, this program served as an annual review, recapping critical duties, BSA responsibilities, and required elements of the AML program. October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 31

32 BANKER NEWS & MOVES SHARP PROMOTED TO LOAN OFFICER AT PEOPLES BANK Peoples Bank promoted Leslie Sharp to Loan Officer, according to Mary Fowler, President and CEO. Leslie has distinguished herself during her relatively short career with us by rapidly progressing through our loan officer qualification process, Fowler stated. She has the skill and judgment to efficiently serve our loan customers, and the personality to make it an enjoyable experience! We are pleased to recognize her abilities with this promotion. Sharp joined Peoples Bank in February of 2009 and has six years of banking experience including work as a teller and a loan assistant. She is a native of Magnolia, a graduate of Magnolia High School and earned a bachelor s degree in accounting from Southern Arkansas University. Sharp is actively involved in Relay For Life, Magnolia Blossom Festival, where she has served as treasurer, and has completed the Leadership Magnolia program. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church where she serves as Assistant Youth Director. RISHER PROMOTED TO BRANCH MANAGER AT PEOPLES BANK Peoples Bank recently promoted Angela Risher to Assistant Vice President and Manager of the Golden Oaks Branch in Waldo, according to Mary Fowler, President and CEO. Angela is very deserving of this promotion, and is well equipped to handle her new responsibilities. Everyone enjoys working with her because of her friendly attitude and her willingness to help anyone who needs her. We congratulate her on her new position! stated Fowler. Risher joined Peoples Bank in November 1998 and has 17 years of banking experience. She is a native of Warren, and attended Southern Arkansas University. Involved in her community, Risher is very active in Relay For Life and Magnolia Blossom Festival. She is looking forward to being part of the Leadership Magnolia Class of In her spare time, Risher enjoys vacationing on the beach with her family, antiquing, and attending flea markets. Angela is married to Johnnie Risher and the couple has one daughter, Ashley. The family are members of First Baptist Church of Waldo. FRANKLIN BASS NAMED HOT SPRINGS COMMUNITY PRESIDENT Simmons First National Bank has named Franklin Bass as its Hot Springs Community President. Bass, an Arkadelphia native, joined Simmons in 2014 as a Senior Vice President and Lending Manager in Hot Springs. His banking and finance career has taken him from Crews & Associates in Little Rock to First Security Bank in Fayetteville to Summit Bank in Hot Springs. Bass has a bachelor s degree from the Walton School of Business at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and also studied international business in Italy. He s a member of the board of the Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation and the Mid- America Science Museum at Hot Springs. He also serves on the steering committee of the Hot Springs Future Fund. experience perspective BKD National Financial Services Group 1200 CLIENTS What are you reflecting on? Improving shareholder value? Reducing risk? In an industry filled with change, your list is likely a lengthy one. BKD National Financial Services Group helps approximately 1,200 clients manage change, make wise decisions and stay compliant. Experience how our expertise can help give you a better vantage point. Ryan Underwood // runderwood@bkd.com // Gary Edwards // gedwards@bkd.com // Ken Rossi // krossi@bkd.com // bkd.com 32 The Arkansas Banker October 2015

33 BANKER NEWS & MOVES Hot Springs is a key growth market for Simmons Bank, said Freddie Black, Simmons regional chair for Arkansas. Franklin has strong leadership skills, a great personality and understands how to deliver customer service. We also like our community presidents to be involved in the community, and Franklin is heavily involved. We couldn t have a better leader in the Hot Springs market. SOUTHERN BANCORP BANK ANNOUNCES NEW HIRES AND PROMOTIONS Southern Bancorp Bank recently announced new hires and promotions in several of its markets. In Helena- West Helena, Southern Bancorp Bank welcomes Stoney Fortenberry, who brings 17 years of commercial and agricultural lending experience to the position of Commercial Loan Officer. A McGehee native, Fortenberry is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the Barrett School of Banking. He is joined in Helena by his wife Krista and their two daughters, Kelly and Caroline. Missy Ishmael has been promoted to Vice President for Lending. With 32 years of banking experience, this Helena-West Helena native provides a wealth of lending experience to the community. An alumnus of both Arkansas State University and Phillips Community College, Ishmael is currently attending the Barrett School of Banking and is active in several community organizations including Kiwanis and the Boys and Girls Club of Helena-West Helena. She resides in Helena and is the proud mother of Ryan Ishmael and his wife Rachel; Olivia Roberts and her husband Josh; and two grandsons, Jake and Trent. Wendy Von Kanel has been promoted to Senior Vice President specializing in mortgages and agricultural loans. A lifelong resident of Phillips County, Von Kanel is a graduate of Phillips Community College with 17 years of experience in banking. She is active in the community, serving on the DeSoto School Board and lives in Helena with her husband, Alan, and their two children, Bailey and Reese. In Malvern, Southern Bancorp Bank welcomes Brian Coston to the position of Executive Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. A Malvern native, Coston is a graduate of Henderson State University, the ABA Commercial Lending Academy at Louisiana State University, and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He is active in the community, currently serving his fifth term on the Hot Springs County Quorum Court, his third term as a board member for the Malvern School District, and is a member of the College of the Ouachita s Foundation Board. Coston is a retired Major with the Arkansas Army National Guard and lives in Malvern with his wife Martha. The have one daughter, Emily, and a son, Elliot. In Eudora, Southern Bancorp Bank welcomes Bruce Timmons to the position of Eudora Market President. A Hamburg native with 42 years of banking experience, Timmons is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He and his wife Connie have three children and six grandchildren. Southern Bancorp Bank s Blytheville market saw four recent promotions. Christie Patterson has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President. With 15 years of banking experience, this Gosnell native is a graduate of Arkansas State University, the Barret School of Banking, and the American Bankers Association National Compliance School. Patterson is active in the community, participating in the Delta Regional Authority Leadership Institute, Blytheville Leadership Institute, Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce (past board member), Arkansas Banker s Emerging Leaders (past council member), Blytheville Lion s Club (member and past president), and Main Street Blytheville (past board member). She has been recognized as an Outstanding Young Executive by Northeast Arkansas Business Today, and was recently featured as part of the Women of Mississippi County panel in Jennifer Stallings has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. A Gosnell native, Stallings has 11 years of banking experience and is active in the community, having graduated from the Blytheville Leadership Institute and serving as Relay for Life Chair. She and her husband Glenn have three children, Brianna, Aaron and Dalton, as well as one granddaughter, Karlie. Jackie Seals has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Seals has 11 years of banking experience. The Blytheville native is also active in the community having graduated from the Blytheville Leadership Institute and serving in various community leadership capacities. Seals live in Blytheville with her daughter, Alexandria. Eva Simpson has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Simpson has 26 years of banking experience and is an active member of the Greater Grace Fellowship Church. Married to Larry Simpson, Eva has one daughter and son-inlaw, Wendy and Scott Defoe, and two granddaughters, Hayley and Madison. In related news, Southern Bancorp Community Partners (SBCP), a 501c3 financial development and lending organization working in many of Southern Bancorp s markets also announced the promotion of Vida Fielder. Fielder, who has helped lead a variety of SBCP s programs, including VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and the organization s HUD-certified credit and housing counseling since 2000, has been promoted to Loan and Credit Officer, a position in which she will facilitate SBCP s development lending activities and continue her work with SBCP s credit building activities. October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 33

34 BANKER NEWS & MOVES SIMMONS WEALTH DEVELOPMENT AND PRIVATE BANKING ANNOUNCE PROMOTIONS, NEW HIRES Simmons First National Bank has announced the following promotions and new hires in the areas of wealth development and private banking: Jay Meador will serve as the President of Private Banking for the Arkansas Region. Meador received his bachelor s degree from Louisiana State University and his MBA from Vanderbilt University. He was at IberiaBank for eight years, most recently as Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking. Prior to that, Meador had a broad range of business experience, ranging from The Wall Street Journal to a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines to the CheckFree Corp/Fiserv. He s a board member and former board president for UAMS Family Home, a board member for Young Life West Little Rock and a former member of the Pulaski Academy Board of Visitors. Carole Smith will serve as a Senior Vice President and Private Banking Loan Officer. Smith joined Delta Trust & Bank in October She received both her bachelor s and master s degrees from the University of Arkansas and is also a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She joined Worthen Bank & Trust Co. of Little Rock in 1983 and became the bank s first female senior vice president. She later was the owner of the retail business C.J. Nichols Inc. and the co-owner of New Traditions. David Coleman will serve as a Vice President and Private Banking Loan Officer. Coleman received his bachelor s degree from the University of Arkansas and later graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He was a senior examiner for the Arkansas State Bank Department from before joining Simmons as a Loan Review Manager. Kathryn Pannell will serve as an Assistant Vice President and a Private Banking Relationship Manager. Pannell began her banking career in 2007 as an Assistant Branch Manager for Metropolitan National Bank. She was promoted to Branch Manager in 2011 and worked in Maumelle, North Little Rock and Little Rock. RODRIGUEZ, ROBINSON JOIN TODAY S BANK Today s Bank is pleased to announce the addition of two employees: Christina Rodriguez and Nate Robinson. Christina Rodriguez has been hired as a Retail Lending Officer and Branch Manager at the new Today s Bank branch located in Springdale. Rodriguez is originally from Yorba Linda, California, where she started off her banking career as a teller 21 years ago. She now resides in Springdale with her husband and four children, where she is actively involved in the community as a volunteer in the local school system, as well as in children s ministry. Nate Robinson has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President, Retail Lending Manager and Commercial Loan Officer in Springdale. He has more than seven years of experience in banking, including retail banking, consumer lending, and commercial lending. A Springdale native, Robinson has been active in his community volunteering with CASA, coaching recreational soccer, and counseling with families. 34 The Arkansas Banker October 2015

35 INDEX OF ADVERTISEMENTS Arkansas Capital 13 Corporation Group BKD, LLP 32 DD&F Consulting 22 Group Foundation Life 15 Insurance Company Stone Bank 19 Strategic Technologies 31 US Market Solutions 35 WHITE PROMOTED TO COMMUNITY PRESIDENT; BURNSIDE JOINS SIMMONS Chris White has been promoted by Simmons First National Bank to Community President for Central Arkansas. The central Arkansas region includes Simmons locations in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Bryant and Cabot. White will report to Freddie Black, the Chairman of the Arkansas region. Chris began his banking career with Simmons and has held leadership positions in our northwest Arkansas, Hot Springs and Little Rock community banks, said Marty Casteel, the Chairman and CEO of Simmons First National Bank. Chris has excelled in every assignment and his leadership, experience and enthusiasm will support our continued growth in central Arkansas. BANKER NEWS & MOVES Simmons also announced that Robert E. Bob Burnside has joined the bank as the Arkansas region s Senior Credit Officer. Burnside will report to Steve Wade, the Chief Credit Officer. Bob will work with all Arkansas lenders in the credit-approval process to maintain credit quality while delivering timely and consistent credit decisions, Casteel said. Bob has 30 years of experience in banking, including senior lender experience with regional and community banks in Arkansas. Bob is a well-known, well-respected member of the Arkansas banking community. We re excited to have him join Simmons. MOUSER JOINS SIMMONS Rosalind M. Mouser of Pine Bluff has joined Simmons First National Bank as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. She will manage litigation for Simmons in all of its markets in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. Mouser joins Simmons following a 30-year practice at Ramsay Bridgforth Robinson & Raley in Pine Bluff. She s a former president of the Arkansas Bar Association and teaches banking courses for the Arkansas Bankers Association, the American Bar Association and Southern Methodist University s Southwest Graduate School of Banking. Mouser serves on the boards of the Southeast Arkansas College Foundation, the Greater Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Women s Foundation of Arkansas. She serves on the Arkansas Bar Association s finance committee and judiciary committee. Mouser graduated with honors from Ouachita Baptist University and from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock s William H. Bowen School of Law. As a Rotary scholar, she completed one year of study in international law at the University of Bristol in Great Britain. ADVERTISEMENTS For more information on advertising in The Arkansas Banker, please contact Traci Logsdon, Director of Communications, via at traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org, or by phone at The Arkansas Banker 1220 West Third Street Little Rock, AR Phone Fax October 2015 The Arkansas Banker 35

36 The Arkansas Bank Directory Your Guide to the Arkansas Financial Services Industry! Arkansas Bank Directory Order Form ; Please send me the new Arkansas Bank Directory! ARKANSAS BANKERS ASSOCIATION BANK DIRECTORY YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARKANSAS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY Arkansas Bankers Association 1220 West Third Street Little Rock, Arkansas I would like to order copies of the directory. Please check if this will be a standing order every year. Send no money now! You will be invoiced when your directories are shipped to you. Quantity Name Bank / Company Address City State Zip Telephone Address Phone Fax Send this form to Arkansas Bankers Association, 1220 West Third Street, Little Rock, AR 72201; Fax ; or traci.logsdon@arkbankers.org. Member Rate* (price per copy) Non-Member Rate* (price per copy) 1-10 copies $ tax $ tax copies $ tax $ tax 50 or more copies $ tax $ tax *Prices do not include shipping and handling charges. 36 The Arkansas Banker October 2015