Von Kanel to lead Southern Bancorp operations in Phillips County

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. – Southern Bancorp today announced the promotion of Wendy Von Kanel, current Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending to Market President for Phillips County. In her new role, she will be leading all bank operations in Phillips County, which includes branches in Helena-West Helena, Marvell, Barton, and Elaine.

“I am honored to lead Southern Bancorp’s efforts to build wealth and economic opportunity in Phillips County,” said Von Kanel. “Our long-standing commitment to this community will only grow as we seek to help individuals get on the path to opportunity, and I’m proud to play a new role in spearheading that effort.

A Marvell native, Von Kanel joined Southern Bancorp 20 years ago as a mortgage processor. She has risen through the ranks and held the position of Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending since 2012.

Von Kanel attended Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, and lives in Lexa with her husband Alan and their two children Bailey and Reese.

About Southern Bancorp

Southern Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company; Southern Bancorp Community Partners, a 501(c)(3) development finance and lending organization; and Southern Bancorp Bank, one of America’s largest rural development banks; were founded in 1986 by a group of business, political and philanthropic leaders who were concerned about the economic decline of rural Arkansas. All three entities are U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) collectively known as “Southern.” With $1.2 billion in assets, 60,000 customers and 46 locations in Arkansas and Mississippi, Southern invests in people and businesses in rural communities; empowers them to improve their lives; and helps them transform their communities. Learn more about Southern on the web at www.banksouthern.com & www.southernpartners.org.