ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas — Southern Bancorp Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has announced the appointment of Shari Echols as City President of Arkadelphia, a role in which she will oversee all lending operations in the Arkadelphia market.
“Shari’s deep understanding of the Arkadelphia market and her commitment to our purpose made her the ideal leader for this role,” said Blake Whitley, Regional President. “Her leadership will help us continue to support the families and businesses of Arkadelphia with our mission-focused style of banking for many years to come.”
Echols brings nearly three decades of banking experience, lending expertise, and mission-driven leadership to her new role. She began her career with Southern Bancorp in 1997 and has served the CDFI in multiple capacities over the years, including Teller, Assistant Branch Manager, Senior Lending Assistant, VP of Financial Analysis, and most recently as VP of Commercial Lending. In the latter role, she managed a loan portfolio of approximately $110 million, specializing in commercial real estate, equipment financing, and tax credit lending. Her extensive experience also includes underwriting, portfolio management, and guiding teams to achieve strong credit quality and loan growth.
“As a lifelong resident of Arkadelphia, I am passionate about serving my community, my neighbors, and supporting our local businesses,” said Echols. “I’m honored for the opportunity to grow at Southern Bancorp and excited to continue making an impact in this new role, to ensure that everyone in our community has access to the tools and resources they need to thrive.”