Smiley Appointed Bank Chief for Arvest Springdale

by Talk Business & Politics ([email protected]) 83 views 

Jim Walton, chairman of Arvest Bank Group Inc., on Monday appointed H. Dennis Smiley the new president and CEO of Arvest Springdale Bank & Trust.

Smiley replaces Buddy D. Philpot, who recently left the bank to become executive director of the Walton Family Foundation. Philpot is still chairman of Springdale Bank & Trust, but his primary duties will entail overseeing the Walton family’s philanthropic programs.

“Dennis and Buddy are both very active and involved in the Springdale community, “Walton said in a statement. “And they share a strong commitment to serving our local customers and improving the quality of life in Springdale.”

Smiley called Springdale Bank & Trust one of the fastest-growing banks in the Arvest system. The institution opened in 1989 with 11 associates and virtually no assets. Today, it employs 130 workers at seven locations and has more than $300 million in assets.

Smiley has been in the banking business for 11 years and is a board member for the Arts Center of the Ozarks.