Bob King Elevated to Top Post At The Bank of Fayetteville

by Paul Gatling ([email protected]) 267 views 

Bob King has been promoted as the new president for Bank of Fayetteville following its acquisition by Farmers & Merchants Bank of Stuttgart. King has been an executive lending officer at the Bank of Fayetteville for 16 years.

Gary Hudson, president and CEO of Stuttgart-based Farmers and Merchants Bank, has named Bob King as the lender’s new top executive in the Northwest Arkansas market.

King will hold the title of community bank president at The Bank of Fayetteville. F&M Bank acquired The Bank of Fayetteville on Nov. 30. BOF, however, has kept its name on its eight Northwest Arkansas branches — five in Fayetteville and one each in Farmington, Prairie Grove and West Fork — and is doing business as a division of F&M Bank.

King replaces Mary Beth Brooks, BOF’s former president and CEO. She resigned effective Nov. 30, the day F&M’s acquisition was officially granted regulatory approval, and BOF’s charter was automatically collapsed into F&M Bank’s holding company, The Farmers and Merchants Bankshares Inc.

Hudson announced the personnel move Dec. 15.

“We have full faith and confidence in Bob, knowing he will lead our team with the same enthusiasm and focus he has exhibited during his long tenure at The Bank of Fayetteville,” Hudson said in a company news release.

King, a BOF employee since 1999, has served as executive vice president of lending operations since July 2004. He has more than 35 years of experience in banking. 

 “I am honored to be appointed community bank president of The Bank of Fayetteville, and I’m committed to preserving the mission of our founders to be the premier community bank in Northwest Arkansas,” King said.  “Our merger with Farmers and Merchants Bank brings new opportunities and services for our customers, partners and community. 

“I look forward to playing an active role in all areas of our bank as we continue to assist our civic and cultural organizations, as well as helping small businesses improve and expand their economic status.”

In addition to its NWA operations, F&M Bank operates in seven Arkansas communities: Stuttgart, DeWitt, Marianna, Hazen, Des Arc, Perryville and Morrilton.

Following the acquisition, the bank’s assets now total more than $1 billion.