Southern Bancorp Inc. of Arkadelphia is poised to become the first rural development bank to launch a public stocking offering. CEO Phil Baldwin and his team are positioning Southern Bancorp for an IPO during the next couple of years.

Southern Bancorp of Arkadelphia announced Tuesday that it will acquire holding company First Delta Bankshares Inc. of Blytheville during the third quarter, a move that Southern Bancorp President and CEO Phillip N. Baldwin says could benefit Pine Bluff-based Southern Good Faith Fund.

Scott Fife has opted to leave his job as president of Simmons First Bank of El Dorado to become president of Southern Bancorp – El Dorado, which opens up on Monday.

State lawmakers trickled one-by-one into Henderson State University Tuesday for a joint meeting of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council and the Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Interim Committee on Education.

The three proposals for grant funding from the Walton Foundation for St. Francis County should be submitted next month, according to officials with Southern Bancorp.

The chancery courtroom at the county courthouse was filled with local elected and community leaders Tuesday for the quarterly meeting with Southern Bancorp.

Published: May 22, 2009 St. Francis County leaders are gearing up for Tuesday’s quarterly meeting with Southern Bancorp officials. According to a press release, the meeting is set for 5:30 p.m., at the St. Francis County Courthouse, and those in attendance will...

Southern Good Faith Fund, an affiliate of Southern Bancorp, is a leader in helping to improve the lives of low-income and low-skilled residents in the Arkansas and Mississippi Delta, says Angela Duran of Little Rock, the SGFF president.

Southern Bancorp opened its doors on Cherry Street on Jan. 17, 1931 as Phillips National Bank. Seventy-eight years later the bank is still going strong thanks to loyal customers, local management decisions making by a local board of directors.

Exploring Innovation participants had the chance to test their innovation skills in the “Fed Prize Challenge,” a contest that asked participants to submit their most creative response to a question on the minds of community development practitioners.

About 50 people heard an update on the Clark County Strategic Plan at Hickingbotham Hall Tuesday.

A co-chair from each CCSP subcommittee spoke about 2008-2009 accomplishments and upcoming plans. CCSP Chair Dr. Wesley Kluck reported that 26 action goals have been completed since the 2008 meeting, and that 49 goals are being worked on.