Mark Ryan, longtime Arvest Bank executive, set to retire in March

Mark Ryan, loan manager and executive vice president for Arvest Bank’s Benton County market, will retire after a three-decade career with the company.

Ryan’s retirement is effective March 31, 2024, to assist with transitioning to a new loan manager. After that, Ryan is expected to support the bank’s commercial and credit projects part-time.

“Throughout his career, Mark has led with a passion for excellence,” Arvest Benton County President and CEO Brad Crain wrote in a memo to employees in December and obtained by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. “He is one of the most competitive people I know and has inspired teams and countless associates to strive for excellence. His work and passion have laid a solid groundwork for us to continue to build upon here in Arvest Benton County.

“It has been an honor to call Mark my teammate and friend. I will be forever grateful for Mark’s support, leadership and inspirational character. As a key leader on the [Arvest Benton County] leadership team, he has demonstrated the significant impact of putting others first and leading with compassion and humility.”

Ryan started his Arvest career in October 1993 as a commercial loan officer in Fayetteville. Arvest promoted him in 2016 from commercial banking manager to loan manager in Benton County.

Ryan, who lives with his family in Rogers, has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Arkansas and is a 1988 graduate of the Southwestern School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.