Banking & Finance - ArkansasBusiness.com

Arkansas Business honors the state's top executives, small businesses and nonprofits with the annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards.

The U.S. economy has been expanding for the last eight and a half years, but how much longer will that expansion last?

Although the unemployment rate gets the most attention, Arkansas economist Michael Pakko recently also looked at the employment rate in the state over the last year and since the Great Recession.

Simmons First National Corp of Pine Bluff said Tuesday that it completed the merger of its subsidiary, Southwest Bank of Fort Worth, Texas, with its main banking subsidiary, Simmons Bank.

Rick and Anne Massey of Little Rock have given the University of Central Arkansas $1 million to endow and establish a scholarship program for first-generation college students.

CHI St. Vincent has named Sara Bradley its vice president of finance.

U.S. sales of existing homes fell in January from a year earlier by the most in more than three years. Would-be buyers were stymied by rising prices and a shortage of homes for sale.

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates crept higher this week, upping the costs of borrowing to purchase a home just as more of the millennial generation is entering the real estate market.

A 34,734-SF retail project is in motion for the 5.04-acre site at the southeast corner of Chenal Parkway and Arkansas Systems Drive.

Spending on construction projects across the country could rise by 4 percent this year over 2017, which is welcome news for Arkansas architects and engineers.

Smart leaders understand that to deal with difficult times, the culture and attitude of their workforce must be critical to survival.

Dan Blair has been named wealth adviser for Regions Bank in Little Rock.

Chuck Woods has been named controller at FNBC Bank in Ash Flat. Gary Paxson has been appointed administrator at White River Medical Center in Batesville.

Westwood Holdings LLC of Rogers, led by Dusty Graham, bought the Kelly Eason Building at 100 W. Center St.

Stephens Inc. of Little Rock announced Monday that it has acquired Dallas-based Blackhill Partners.

Simmons First Insurance Services announced Tuesday that Christi Pittman has been named president of employee benefits.

In northwest Arkansas, the supply of available lots for residential construction is shrinking, and housing affordability could be a challenge soon, according to Arvest Bank's Skyline Report.

The pace of Americans signing contracts to buy homes fell 4.7 percent in January to its lowest level in more than three years, due to a lack of homes for sale, higher prices and rising mortgage rates.

Arvest Bank says Cathy Tuggle has joined its central Arkansas board of directors.

Home BancShares Inc. Chairman Johnny Allison led the way for executive compensation at the $14.4 billion-asset banking concern during 2017.

Presenting the 30th Annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards

Is the U.S. Due for a Recession? (Commentary)

Arkansas Metros Show Wide Gap in Post-Recession Employment Rates

Southwest Bank in Texas Now Operating Under Simmons Banner

Masseys Give UCA $1M for Scholarship Program

CHI St. Vincent Names New VP of Finance

Sales of US Homes Fall Year Over Year by Most in 3½ Years

Long-Term Mortgage Rates Climb to 4.4 Percent

Shoppes at Chenal Starts with $2.5M Buy (Real Deals)

Blueprint For 2018? Architecture Firms See Busy Year

When the Going Gets Tough (Barry Goldberg On Leadership)

Dan Blair Joins Regions Bank (Movers & Shakers)

Woods Joins FNBC; Paxson Appointed Admin at WRMC (NEA Movers & Shakers)

Fayetteville Building Sells for $1.7 Million (NWA Real Deals)

Stephens Inc. Acquires Dallas Firm's Restructuring Business

Simmons First Insurance Names Employee Benefits President

Report: Lot Supply Shrinking in Northwest Arkansas

US Pending Home Sales Slump 4.7 Percent in January

Arvest Bank Names New Board Member

Pay Package for Allison Up 34 Percent in 2016