Arvest Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Bank not the oldest in the local area, but one of the most unique

— This year is the 50th anniversary for Arvest Bank, which has branch offices in Gentry and Gravette, marking half a century of success with a unique leadership structure and banking philosophy that has fostered rapid expansion while retaining nationally recognized levels of customer service and convenience.

The growth from a bank with $3.5 million in deposits from one small community to one with more than $11 billion in assets serving four states is the direct result of acommitment started by the founders - an intense dedication to focusing on the customer above all else, an Arvest press release states.

Although Arvest's charter is dated 1871, the 50th anniversary mark recognizes fifty years as one company working together with this shared vision of local leadership and community involvement.

Looking back at the first fifty years of Arvest, there have been three distinct chapters: the foundation and philosophy-building phase; the rapid expansion phase; and the phase Arvest is now in of steady growthby providing superior service, a network of branches and advanced banking products. Arvest today employs more than 5,000 associates, holds more than $11.3 billion in assets and has more than $7 billion in current loans, according to the release.

“Fifty years is most certainly a great milestone to reach,” the April press release states. “The past five decades have been filled with such growth and opportunity for our bank and our associates. Arvest has had the pleasure of calling Northwest Arkansas home and this region has been sointo putting our customers first for another fifty years.”

Arvest traces its beginning to the acquisition of The Bank of Bentonville in 1961 and through other acquisitions over the years, plus continuously attracting new customers, it has experienced significant growth both in size and depth of services. The bank has grown to operate more than 240 branches in four states and continues to be committed to its customerfocused, community-oriented structure by operating each of its 16 markets through local management with local presidents, management teams and boards of directors.

Arvest will recognize the event in various communities by holding customer functions, honoring long time associates and participating in other special events.

About Arvest Bank

In 2011, Arvest celebrates its 50th year of providing financial solutions to its customers. Arvest Bank operates more than 240 bank branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas through a network of 16 locally managed banks,each with its own board of directors and management team. These banks serve customers in 90 communities with 12-hour weekday banking at most locations. Arvest also provides a wide range of banking services including loans, deposits, treasury management, asset and wealth management, life insurance, credit cards, mortgage loans and mortgage servicing. Arvest operates a mortgage company, asset management company, insurance division and mortgage servicing company. Arvest is an equal housing lender and member FDIC.

News, Pages 8 on 05/25/2011