Simmons First-Metropolitan Bank Merger Results In 28 Branch Closures

The anticipated list of branch closures resulting from Simmons First National’s acquisition of Little Rock-based Metropolitan National bank was made public by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency this week.

Pine Bluff-based Simmons filed applications to close 27 branches of the pro forma bank with the regulatory agency on Dec. 19, in addition to one other application to close the Simmons branch in Bella Vista, which was recently shuttered. The 27 branches are slated to cease operations on March 22.

Simmons chose not to release the total of anticipated lost jobs resulting from these branch closures, deferring comment until next week when the holding company will report earnings on Jan. 23.

The branch closures come as no surprise. Simmons First CEO George Makris told investors and analysts in September that there would be branch consolidation in Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock. He said the banks’ staffs would work together before the end of 2013 to assess the best course of action for the branch consolidation.

Makris said the closings would likely take place before April as there is a 90-day notice period required before a branch closure can take place.

Metropolitan operates 12 branches in Northwest Arkansas, seven of which will be shuttered. Five Simmons First branches will close. Sixteen Simmons First or Metropolitan bank branch locations were slated to close in central Arkansas.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS CLOSURES
• Downtown Little Rock, 320 West Capitol Ave., Little Rock
• UAMS branch at 5000 West Markham Street, Little Rock
• 1717 Merrill Drive, Little Rock
• 1818 N. Taylor St., Little Rock
• 11000 Financial Center Parkway, Little Rock
• 11821 Colonel Glen Road, Little Rock
• Chenal Kroger Branch, 16105 Chenal Pkwy., Little Rock
• 3200 JFK Blvd., North LIttle Rock
• 3607 East Kiehl, Sherwood,
• 21 Bill Foster Memorial Hwy., Cabot
• 1025 Markham Street, Conway
• 820 Elsinger Blvd., Conway
• 2400 Donahey Ave., Conway
• 2895 Dave Ward Dr., Conway
• 1210 S. Rock Stree, Sheridan
• 2030 John Hardin Drive, Jacksonville

NWA CLOSURES
• 300 Walton Boulevard, Bentonville
• 200 Hudson Road, Rogers
• 2691 Mission Boulevard, Fayetteville
• 4000 Great House Road, Springdale
• 3701 Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers
• 4201 Pleasant Crossing, Rogers
• 1950 Pleasant Street, Springdale
• 2971 North College Avenue, Fayetteville
• 5105 South Thompson Avenue, Springdale
• 703 East Douglas, Prairie Grove
• 405 Town Center, Bella Vista (recently closed)
• 3210 South Walton Boulevard, Bentonville

Kim Souza with our content partner, The City Wire, has more in this report.