Arkansas

A bankruptcy judge's decision to lower breakup fees in the auction of Metropolitan National gives Simmons First and others a chance at unseating stalking horse Ford Financial. The results could encourage more interest in bidding for bank units of bankrupt holding companies.

Simmons First (SFNC) in Pine Bluff, Ark., has submitted a bid in bankruptcy court in an effort to buy Metropolitan National Bank in Little Rock, Ark.

The longtime chief operating officer at Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., is retiring.

First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas (FFBH) in Harrison has agreed to buy First National Security in Hot Springs, Ark.

John W. Allison of Home BancShares was on the prowl for a deal in Florida when a "game-changer" came up in its home state of Arkansas. He sacrificed geographic diversification for a local moneymaker. Was it the right move for the long term?

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock, Ark., is planning to open a loan production office in New York.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The NCUA Board is expected next week to propose a rule allowing broader use of financial derivatives, mainly interest rate swaps, options and collars.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Pentagon FCU unveiled a 0.74% rate today for online car loans provided through its car buying service as part of the credit union’s March Madness savings promotion.

The Federal Reserve Board has entered into written agreements with two companies requiring them to serve as sources of strength for their banks.

The Federal Reserve Board has entered into written agreements requiring two holding companies to serve as sources of strength for their community banks.

Simmons First National (SFNC) of Pine Bluff, Ark., reported a first-quarter profit of $6.4 million, up roughly 25% from a year earlier as its loan-loss provision fell.

Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK) in Little Rock said its first-quarter earnings increased 23% from the same period in 2011, to $18 million, on the strength of improved efficiency, solid growth in fee income and a continued decline in problem assets.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has ordered seven ailing community banks to raise fresh capital and directed three others with elevated loan losses to submit written plans for raising capital should credit quality weaken further.

The Arkansas Bankers Association announced Friday that President and Chief Executive Kenneth D. Hammonds will retire at the end of this year and will be replaced by the trade group's chief operating officer, William R. Holmes.

Simmons First National Corp. in Pine Bluff, Ark., said Thursday that its third-quarter earnings fell 4% from a year earlier, to $7.3 million, due primarily to sharp drop in income from from the sale of student loans.

Bank of the Ozarks Inc. reported income totaling $83.8 million for the nine months that ended Sept. 30, representing an almost 78% increase from the same period in 2010.

Simmons First National Corp. in Pine Bluff, Ark., said Thursday that core earnings in the second quarter declined 4.6% from the same period last year, to $6.2 million.

Bank of Ozarks Inc. in Little Rock posted record earnings in the second quarter after acquisitions of two failed banks helped boost net income by more than 360%.

Home Bancshares Inc. in Conway, Ark., has repaid the Treasury Department the $50 million it received in early 2009 from the Troubled Asset Relief program.

Home BancShares Inc. in Conway, Ark., said it recovered $4.4 million in chargeoffs booked in the fourth quarter.