Simmons Bank

Last week, some of our associates had the privilege of attending the sixth annual Soirée Women's Leadership Symposium. The event is dedicated to the advancement of women in the workplace, providing a platform to develop professional skills, build networks, and encourage open conversations. As a sponsor of this event, we are honored to support the empowerment and elevation of women throughout Arkansas.

Alisa Montgomery serves as an Ambassador for Simmons Bank and plays a vital role in enhancing the company's culture and supporting the workplace environment through various outreach initiatives. Her connection to Pine Bluff, where she works, is deeply personal, and she takes great pride in her position at one of the bank's most historic branches established in 1930. Alisa's choice to work at Simmons was influenced by her childhood memories in South Arkansas, where her family consistently chose Simmons Bank for their banking needs. Whether visiting the drive-thru or accompanying her mom inside the bank for various transactions, the staff's warmth and helpfulness left a lasting impression. "Simmons Bank was my first and only choice when I started job hunting," she explains. Her fond memories of the bank and its culture of embracing diverse backgrounds, make her work experience particularly rewarding and enriching.

Our Lexington, Tennessee Branch has been honored once again by the local community, earning the title of "The Best Bank" in Henderson County! This recognition is a testament to our associates' dedication to serving their community and their commitment to providing exceptional customer care.

Exciting news from the tee box 🏌️♂️ We're thrilled to announce Stephens as our Presenting Sponsor! Simmons Bank and Stephens are excited to use this partnership to further celebrate and showcase the great state of Arkansas. See y’all at the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens in October! Read more: https://lnkd.in/ertpcZBM

Central Arkansas associates are showing strong support for their community and having a good time doing it! Simmons recently served as presenting sponsor for The First Tee of Central Arkansas’s “A Day at The Masters” event, which raised more than $50,000 to benefit youth. Thanks to all our associates involved in this event, including Business Development Officer Neil Day and his five-year-old son Boone, seen below at the event.

Kevin Fowler, Community Regional Executive, recently shared his insights on success and his perspective on the 2017 merger between Bank SNB and Simmons Bank.   With a history dating back to 1894, Bank SNB was a company rooted in Stillwater, Oklahoma where Kevin quickly ascended the leadership ladder. As the Stillwater market president at the time of the acquisition, Kevin's leadership abilities proved valuable to Simmons Bank, which appointed him to his current position of Community Regional Executive. In this role, Kevin now oversees business bankers across several states while continuing to lead the Stillwater market.   "The initial news of the acquisition was unsettling. Bank SNB wasn't just the oldest bank in Oklahoma; it was a pillar of trust in our community," Kevin remembers. "However, the outreach from Simmons ambassadors and visits from their leaders quickly put us at ease. Simmon Bank demonstrated their commitment to our community right from the start, and they've consistently delivered on that promise. Transitions always bring questions and challenges, but we've successfully navigated them together."   Simmons Bank has not only continued key sponsorships and supported the volunteer efforts of Stillwater associates but has also gained the trust of former Bank SNB employees by valuing their feedback and incorporating their processes. "Our voices were heard, even in the midst of being acquired. It gave us a sense of ownership in the transition, which has persisted as several of our local leaders have stepped up within the company. Cade Crawford, David Pitts, Rachel Nash, and Amy Miller stand out as prime examples of this leadership evolution.", says Kevin.    Since the acquisition, Kevin and our entire Stillwater market continue to be a voice in their community while caring for clients – many of whom have century-old banking relationships with Simmons (previously Bank SNB). 

Executive Chairman George Makris was named Golfer of the Year by the Arkansas State Golf Association (ASGA). During his time leading Simmons Bank, Mr. Makris has not only grown the bank but also the game of golf. He brought the PGA TOUR to Little Rock, Arkansas, with the upcoming Simmons Bank Championship and helped bridge a partnership between the Arkansas and Tennessee Golf Associations. Thank you for your leadership and congratulations, Mr. Makris!

With an overall, year-to-date Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 95, our Mortgage team has a proven record with customer satisfaction. The team is frequently praised by name, highlighting solid relationships and exceptional service throughout the home buying experience. Director of Mortgage Production, Cade Crawford, sums up the success of the Mortgage team: "I'm very proud of our MLOs' dedication and passion... Combine that with the experience and commitment of our Mortgage Ops, Underwriting, and Support Teams and you have a phenomenal group working together to exceed the expectations of our customers.”

They often work behind the scenes, but back office associates get a well-deserved moment in the spotlight this weekend! From Financial Crimes, Physical Security and Compliance to our Loan and Deposit Operations Departments to Legal, IT, Accounting and Finance teams (to name a few!), our back office associates are frequently described as “the backbone” of Simmons Bank. On behalf of our entire company and customers, thank you!

A near-fatal car accident helped Leslie Bennett discover an unknown heart condition, leading her to advocacy – and a recent recognition from the American Heart Association. Leslie's accident turned out to hold a blessing in disguise, alerting her to a previously unknown heart condition that can be life-threatening without treatment. Now, in addition to her amazing work as a Program Manager at Simmons, Leslie is passionate about raising awareness for Long QT Syndrome – a difficult-to-detect heart issue that can claim the lives of otherwise healthy people. We're fortunate to have Leslie on our team and are immensely proud of her remarkable work in the community. Watch her story here. Video Credit:  American Heart Association