Farmers & Merchants Bank

The Arkansas Bankers Association (ABA), the largest and oldest banking industry organization in the state, revealed a new slate of officers for 2024 as well as its new Board of Directors, who were installed at the ABA annual convention on April 5.

Brad Chambless, Chief Executive Officer and President of Farmers and Merchants Bank and The Bank of Fayetteville, has been named as the 2023-2024 Chairman-Elect. Chambless joined Farmers and Merchants Bank in 2006 where his roles there included Executive Vice President and member of the Board of Directors. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, practicing law in Arkansas for 10 years before entering the banking industry.

Chambless joined Farmers and Merchants Bank in 2006 where his roles there included Executive Vice President and member of the Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Dumas High School and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He went on to earn a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, practicing law in Arkansas for 10 years before entering the banking industry.

In addition to his role at Farmers and Merchants and The Bank of Fayetteville, Chambless is active throughout the regional community as a board director of Acres of Hope, Inc., the Arkansas County Imagination Library, the Stuttgart Rotary Club and the Arkansas Bar Association. Chambless also formerly served as a foundation board member for the Phillips County Community College of the University of Arkansas, member of the Arkansas Bankers Association agricultural sub-committee and director and vice chairman of Arkansas Capital Corporation.

Chris Gosnell, former President and CEO of Farmers Bank and Trust, has been named 2023-2034 Vice Chairman. Chris brought with him 6 years of banking experience from Northwest Arkansas when he joined the Bank and previously served as President and Chief Banking Officer for Farmers Bank & Trust. Gosnell received his Bachelor of Arts in Administrative Management from the University of Arkansas in 2003, as well as his Master of Science in Operations Management in 2005. He graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado and serves on the Arkansas Bankers Association Board of Directors. In addition, Gosnell was named in Arkansas Business’s 40 Under 40 list for 2015.

Scott Saffold was installed as 2023-2024 Treasurer. As EVP/chief lending officer at Union Bank & Trust Company, Monticello, Saffold has been a member of the executive management team responsible for the implementation and development of strategic initiatives for the bank for eighteen years. 

Saffold graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. A Monticello native, he is actively involved in the local community and currently serves on the following: Vice Chairman of the University of Arkansas Foundation Fund Board and a member of the Executive and Audit Committee, Vice Chairman of the UAM Board of Visitors, and UAM Foundation Fund Board.

Jim Taylor, Senior Vice President at First Security Bancorp in Rogers. Prior to transitioning to the holding company, Taylor was the Regional President of First Security Bank with management oversight of all operations in Northwest Arkansas, including retail and commercial banking activities at 16 full-service banking centers. He started with First Security Bank in April 1998 opening a Loan Production Office in Fayetteville and oversaw First Security’s expansion into Northwest Arkansas.

Taylor attended Arkansas Tech University, where he earned his BS in Agricultural Business. He is a member of the Government Relations Advisory Committee for Arkansas Bankers Association, Advisory Board for Arkansas Tech University School of Business, the American Bankers Association Membership Council and Commercial Real Estate Committee, Law Enforcement Assistance Program, and serves as the General Volunteer Chairman for the LPGA NWA Championship.

The remaining roster of the ABA Board of Directors is as follows: Asa Cottrell, Arvest Bank, Little Rock; Joe Dunn, Stone Bank, Little Rock; Jay Wisener, First National Bankers Bank, Little Rock; Rob Husong, The First National Bank of NWA, Rogers; Loren Shackelford, Chambers Bank, Fayetteville; Jason Tennant, CS Bank, Eureka Springs; Katherine Mitchell, Relyance Bank, White Hall; Lori Ross, Citizens Bank, Arkadelphia; Scott Walker, First Financial Bank, El Dorado; Heather Albright, Bank of America, Little Rock; Rob Tiffee, Regions Bank, Little Rock; Duncan Bellingrath, Simmons Bank, Hot Springs; Gabe Roberts, First Community Bank, Jonesboro; Joe Ruddell, Generations Bank, Rogers; Brandi Ray, Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Malvern.

** Original Article Sourced from Arkansas Talk Money and Politics Staff