Bear State Bank

Bear State Bank, initially established as The First National Bank of De Queen on December 6, 1897, underwent several significant transformations throughout its history. Over the years, the institution expanded through various acquisitions, including Citizens National Bank of Nashville and First National Banks in Howard County and Ashdown, both in January 2005. By August 2007, it had rebranded itself as First National Bank after acquiring First National Bank in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Following a series of mergers and name changes, including the transition to Bear State Bank, National Association on February 13, 2015, the bank moved its main office to Highland Drive in Little Rock, Arkansas, and continued to grow its footprint by acquiring additional banks. In June 2016, Bear State Bank changed its name to simply Bear State Bank and became a state-chartered bank under the Federal Reserve System. Ultimately, on April 21, 2018, Bear State Bank merged with Arvest Bank, headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, marking the end of its operations as an independent banking entity.

Below is a list of some important events in banks history, including mergers and acquisitions.

1897-12-06Institution established. Original name: The First National Bank of De Queen.

2002-06-30Main Office moved to 121 South 3rd Street, De Queen, AR 71832.

2005-01-20Acquired First National Bank of Howard County in Dierks, AR.

2005-01-20Acquired Citizens National Bank of Nashville in Nashville, AR.

2006-02-16Acquired The First National Bank in Ashdown, AR.

2006-02-16Acquired First National Bank in Waldron, AR.

2007-08-17Changed Institution Name to First National Bank.

2007-08-17Main Office moved to 135 Section Line Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913.

2007-08-17Acquired First National Bank in Hot Springs, AR.

2011-08-13Acquired First National Bank in Idabel, OK.

2015-02-13Acquired First Federal Bank in Harrison, AR.

2015-02-13Acquired Heritage Bank, National Association in Jonesboro, AR.

2015-02-13Changed Institution Name to Bear State Bank, National Association.

2015-02-13Main Office moved to 5315 Highland Drive, Little Rock, AR 72223.

2016-02-20Acquired Metropolitan National Bank in Springfield, MO.

2016-06-28Changed Chartering Agency to State.

2016-06-28Changed Bank Class to State Chartered Bank, member of the Federal Reserve System (FRS).

2016-06-28Changed Primary Federal Regulatory Agency to FED.

2016-06-28Changed Institution Name to Bear State Bank.

2018-04-21Merged and became part of Arvest Bank in Fayetteville, AR.