Arkansas Securities Commissioner resigns

by Roby Brock ([email protected]) 1,568 views 

Less than two years in the role, Arkansas Securities Commissioner Eric Munson has resigned from his post effective March 22, 2022. A spokesperson for the agency confirmed his departure to Talk Business & Politics on Friday (March 25).

In a letter dated March 22, Munson tenured his resignation to Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston.

“This letter confirms my resignation as Commissioner of the Arkansas Securities Division so that I may pursue other opportunities. We have agreed that a notice period is not required, therefore my resignation is effective immediately.

“I want to thank Governor Hutchinson and you for providing me the opportunity to serve as Securities Commissioner. If there is anything I can do to assist you or the Governor in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

Munson was named as the new commissioner of the Arkansas Securities Department, a division of the Department of Commerce, in May 2020. He replaced Edmond Waters, who served as commissioner since February 2015.

“Securities Commissioner Eric Munson has resigned from his role at the Department of Commerce effective March 22nd to focus on his family and pursue new future opportunities,” Commerce Secretary Mike Preston told Talk Business & Politics. “I appreciate his service at Commerce and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Munson was formerly an investment banker at Stephens Inc. in their public finance department as a financial advisor, underwriter and placement agent for Arkansas municipal bond issues. He also was a financial consultant and registered representative at Smith Barney (now JP Morgan).

Munson worked as senior vice president and director of Legislation and Regulation for the Arkansas Bankers Association (ABA) where he oversaw the association’s government relations program.

The Arkansas Securities Department is charged with implementing and overseeing the Arkansas Securities Act, Arkansas Fair Mortgage Lending Act, the Arkansas Money Services Act, Arkansas Savings and Loan Act and the Arkansas Credit Union Act.

The department regulates the sale of securities, securities brokerage firms and their agents, state-registered investment advisers and their representatives, mortgage loan companies and their loan officers, money services companies and state-chartered credit unions and savings & loans.