first security bank Bank Better all across Arkansas.

Johnny Adams, President and CEO, Conway Market

In Conway for over 30 years and based in Searcy, Arkansas, First Security Bancorp has the most complete and diverse product offering of any Arkansas-based financial services holding company.

CONWAY+ spoke with Johnny Adams, president and CEO of First Security Bank’s Conway market, with over 35 years in banking in Conway we asked Mr. Adams about how community banks are important to the markets they serve.

First Security Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC.

How has First Security Bank served the Conway community?

JOHNNY: As part of the corporation, First Security Bank of Conway has been providing financial products, services, and solutions in our home town for over 30 years. As a community bank we take pride in local bankers making local decisions that result in a high level of exceptional service. Our commitment is to not only provide our customers financial needs, but with exceptional service making their banking experience better. First Security – Conway has assets of approximately $1 billion, 9 locations and 100+ employees. For 15 years now, First Security has been honored to have been voted Faulkner County’s Best Bank.

What makes a bank a true successful “community bank?”

JOHNNY: To be successful, community banks like First Security Conway must embrace what makes them different from their competition. These are the things that we visit with potential customers about daily. We strive to provide what we call “Bank Better” service which sets us apart from what you might find at a large national bank. First Security Bank specializes in relationshipbased banking.

We also don’t take for granted our ability to serve our clients based on a shared passion for our community or the State of Arkansas. We get motivation as the team with that same shared passion every day! We let customers know that the money you put into a community bank like First Security stays in our community or the State of Arkansas.

At First Security Bank you get extra personalized, human, support along with the tech customers today expect. It is always important to be available and problem solving for our customers.

First Security Bank offers the highest in ethical standards and stability. Community banks like First Security Bank recognize the people, organizations and businesses behind the community and supports them to help the community grow.

When things get tough, community banks like First Security don’t leave their community behind - they step up. We step up by serving on local civic and non-profit organizations boards that help our community be better

First Security Bank supports small businesses in Arkansas because we are local and our lending decisions go deeper due to this understanding. In a recent study, over 75% of U.S. adults agree that locally based lending decisions are important when determining where to bank. 69% of U.S. adults recognize the importance of banking with a locally based financial institution. 70% of U.S. adults cite the importance of local personal banking relationships in choosing where to bank. Source: ICBA Study

Community Banks are the economic engines of their communities, cycling deposits into loans, allowing small businesses to begin and grow – and the cycle continues. When the community does well economically the bank generally does well.

Leadership which historically and still today often comes from the community banking sector is key to the advancement and the enhancement of a community. You’ve got to have quality leaders in your community capable of making it Better. We strive to be one of those leaders! Many big banks have become fully disengaged at the community level – at Frist Security we want to be just the opposite. We want to be highly engaged at the community level. We want to make decisions with the community in mind.