Tag: Banking & Finance

Buzz on BOZ

We hear things are going good for Bank of the Ozarks since it entered the Northwest Arkansas market about 14 months ago.

Banks Brace for Regulation Change

Non-bankers may need to prep for a media blast about a slightly confusing regulation change set to take effect on July 1.

Stephens Analysts Make WSJ List

Two Stephens Inc. equity analysts are among the 2006 ?Best on the Street? survey compiled by The Wall Street Journal.

Stephens Family Splitting Business

The heirs of Jack and Witt Stephens announced on May 22 that they would be reorganizing the family business into two entities with both separate and joint business interests.

Area Lenders Not Hot On 50-Year Mortgage

A handful of Northwest Arkansas lenders said they?re not looking at the new 50-year mortgage product ? not yet anyway.

FSB Dives into Wealth Management Services

First Security Bank talks about its new wealth management division.

Tracking title history in Bella Vista can be difficult because of the village?s history and renewed popularity as a retirement location. The Bronson family has been in the abstract/title business in Northwest Arkansas for 80 years.

Stars Struck With Financial Problems

The Arkansas Stars, a National Indoor Football League team based in Springdale, are getting new owners.

Bank Board Confusion Leaves Less Paper

More on Jeff Collins, executive director of the University of Arkansas’ Center for Business and Economic Research, who apparently agreed to be a board member for The Bank of Fayetteville but then was told he wouldn’t be allowed to serve.

Arvest Debit Users Rank High With Visa

We hear the debit card division of the blue Bentonville banking behemoth is going gangbusters, with Arvest its 29th most active bank customer by debit card sales dollars processed for 2005.

Signature Bank Ad Refers to Art

We noticed an interesting billboard put up by ex-Arvester Gary Head’s new bank, Signature Bank of Arkansas.

Area?s Top 10 ROE Banks Switch Positions

The top 10 banks by return on equity in the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal?s annual list of private banks changed somewhat from year-end 2004 to 2005.

Building Banks Bites Into Efficiency Ratio

Many Northwest Arkansas banks use efficiency ratios as a performance barometer, but it?s only one of many. Includes the lists of the region’s largest banks, public and private.

Correspondent Banks Share Loan Load

Without correspondent banking partners, local banks couldn?t make as many large loans as they do. A peak at correspondent banks and how they work.

Liberty Bank Stakes its Claim

Liberty Bank of Arkansas is making its move into Northwest Arkansas? booming market. A look at the bank that Wallace Fowler built.

Arkansas Tops District In 4Q Interest Margins

In the fourth quarter of 2005, Arkansas banks collectively had a net interest margin of 4.20 percent, down from 4.23 percent for the same quarter in 2004.

Corporate Credit Cards Produce Bank Revenue

Corporate credit cards help banks make money one swipe at a time. But smaller credit card providers must stay competitive with larger credit card providers like Bank of America and MBNA.

FNB Sees Green in its Communities

The First National Bank in Green Forest has amassed $381.9 million in assets, continuing a steady growth over the past decade that its CEO says was fueled by a 1994 Arkansas law that allowed banks to branch outside of their home county.

First Security Offers Multicultural Banking

A year ago, First Security Bank converted the first floor of its 99-year-old building in downtown Springdale into its Multicultural Banking Center, helping immigrants get checking accounts and home loans.

Spring Training: Area Banks Step Up to Home Plate With Management Training Initiatives

The old adage ?good help is hard to find? seems to fit the local banking industry. And with the influx of several new and new-to-the-market banks, good help is becoming even harder to keep.

Entergy Arkansas unveils ‘Next Generation’ plan; will seek to extend nuclear licenses

Fort Smith business leader John Taylor has died

Car-Mart completes $161.3 million securities transaction

Officials ask public to be on the lookout for bird flu in flocks