(Hope, AR—July 23, 2020) – Farmers Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the promotion of Jacob Jones to Hope Market President and Janet Choate to Commercial Loan Officer II, VP.  

Jones started his banking career at Farmers Bank & Trust in 2016, and recently served as Commercial Loan Officer I. He is a lifetime resident of Hope, AR and graduated from Hope High School. He earned his B.S. in Agriculture Business from Southern Arkansas University in 2004. He has been married to his wife, Jordan, for 10 years and they have two children.

Jones enjoys actively serving in his community. He and his family are members of Bethany Baptist Church. He is currently the President-Elect for Hope Kiwanis Club, and is on the Board of Directors for Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce.

“I am beyond humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead the team of Farmers Bank & Trust in the Hope Market,” Jones said.

In addition to Jones’s promotion, the Bank also promoted Janet Choate from Commercial Loan Officer I to Commercial Loan Officer II, VP. She joined Farmers Bank & Trust as a Universal Banker in 2001. She also graduated from Hope High School and earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Henderson State University. She is married to her husband, Tim, and they have two children and two granddaughters.

Choate is also very involved in her community. She has been a Blevins Volunteer Firefighter since 2002, and a Blevins Volunteer First Responder since 2003. She serves as 1st Vice President for the Hope Lions Club, Relay for Life Chair, and helps distribute food with the Blevins Community Food Pantry.

“Jacob and Janet have embraced their roles in the Bank as well as in the community,” Farmers Bank & Trust Chief Executive Officer Chris Gosnell said. “I am very excited about Jacob and Janet and feel they are perfect to continue our mission to be the community bank of Hope.”

About Farmers Bank & Trust: Farmers Bank & Trust is a 110-year-old 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 $1.8 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.