For Immediate Release
Hope, AR (November 10, 2021) – Farmers Bank & Trust is pleased to welcome Darren Neal to the Southwest Arkansas team. Darren will office in the Farmers Bank & Trust Hope Main branch located at 201 East Third Street in Hope, Arkansas; he will be available to help serve all communities Bank-wide.
Darren Neal has joined Farmers Bank & Trust as an Agricultural Loan Officer and Senior Vice President. Born and raised in Jonesboro, AR, Neal grew up working on a rice and soybean farm. After high school, he served four years in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division. He is a graduate of Arkansas State University with a degree in Agricultural Business and Economics. While he started his career as a crop consultant, Neal served for 21 years as an Arkansas State Trooper. He currently lives in Prescott, AR, where he owns a cattle and four-house pullet farm with his wife, Kristi.
“It’s seven days a week,” Neal said. “We’ve got 15,000 chicks just in one house. I can understand my customers because I speak their language. I have been in their shoes. I know there are other options, but we want to set ourselves apart. We want people to do business with us because we’re going to treat them right.”
“I believe Farmers Bank & Trust’s core values align with mine,” Neal said. “They are genuinely in the communities to serve. I’m excited to be able to offer this additional service to our customers.”
“We are extremely pleased and excited to have Darren Neal on the Farmers Bank & Trust team!” Hope Market President Jacob Jones said. “The poultry business has deep roots in Southwest Arkansas, and we are excited to have the ability to offer poultry house financing to our customers. Darren brings a level of experience and unique background that makes him an excellent fit for the Bank.”
About Farmers Bank & Trust: Founded in 1906, Farmers Bank & Trust is a community bank owned by the privately held holding company, Magnolia Banking Corporation, headquartered in Magnolia, Arkansas. Farmers Bank & Trust now has over 20 locations in Arkansas and Texas and approximately $1.9 billion in assets. Farmers offers a full range of deposit services, trust and investment management services, as well as business, commercial real estate, construction, mortgage, residential and consumer loans. To learn more, visit their website at MyFarmers.Bank.