Natalie Bartholomew resigns from Grand Savings Bank

Natalie Bartholomew, vice president and chief administrative officer of Grand Savings Bank, has resigned. In a social media post on Friday (Sept. 17), Bartholomew said Friday was her last day with the company.

“I cannot put into words what this organization and its people mean to me and I’m so incredibly proud of the grand things we have accomplished together,” Bartholomew wrote. “This team has amazing things ahead and it’s been an honor to be part of it.”

Bartholomew joined GSB as a commercial lender and chief marketing officer in February 2017. The company promoted her to her current job in January 2019.

GSB maintains headquarters in Grove, Okla., but operates nine of its 12 branches in Northwest Arkansas and the Fort Smith metro. Most members of the company’s leadership team are based in Benton County.

“My role at GSB has been extremely fruitful and has challenged me in so many positive ways,” Bartholomew wrote. “Many thanks to my team at GSB for trusting me over the years and please know I will continue to cheer for you going forward!”

Bartholomew’s banking career in Northwest Arkansas dates back more than 20 years. Prior to working for GSB, Bartholomew worked in a similar role for 3.5 years at First National Bank of NWA. She spent 12 years with Arvest Bank working from the bank’s Prairie Grove office, Bartholomew’s hometown.

Bartholomew said she will start “a new chapter” of her banking career next week but did not share details. In 2017, the same year she joined Grand Savings, she launched The Girl Banker blog, advocating women in banking, working moms and community banking.  Numerous publications have featured the platform, including trade publication American Banker and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal.

The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal recognized Bartholomew as a Forty Under 40 honoree in 2015 and a Women in Business honoree in 2018.