September 4, 2008 Leadership Workshop Sponsor

Organized in May of 1886, Citizens Bank & Trust Company is the oldest incorporated bank in Crawford County and holds the second oldest State Bank Charter in Arkansas. Founded by B.J. Brown, an attorney, the original bank building still exists and is located on the 700 block of Main Street in historic Van Buren. Mr. Brown sold the bank to David T. Bryan in 1919. David Bryan managed the bank for 36 years, eventually selling to Basil Moody, Raymond Allen and Bill Echols. The banks total assets were $2,300,000. In 1969, Mr. Moody sold controlling interest to Doyle Hopkins, who in turn sold to Jack Alexander 10 years later. Vista Bancorporation, lead by Jim Williamson, was formed in 1988 and purchased the $70,000,000 bank.

Members of the Fort Smith and Crawford County leadership classes
discuss the rich diversity of our region's citizens in a joint session held
at First Christian Church - Disciples of Christ in Fort Smith.

In 1994, a merger agreement was executed between Vista Bancorporation and First Bank Corporation of Fort Smith, a multi-bank financial holding company. First Bank Corporation, in addition to owning Citizens Bank & Trust, holds First National Bank of Fort Smith, National Bank of Sallisaw, Oklahoma and Brown-Hiller-Clark Insurance Company. Today, Keith Hefner serves as only the seventh President of this 122-year-old company. With total assets in excess of $320,000,000, Citizens Bank & Trust is the largest bank in Crawford County.

Our roots run deep in this community. We routinely refer to the "CB&T Cornerstones," which simply state our corporate values for guidance as we formulate our business strategies and decision-making processes. Extensively intertwined into these value statements are either direct or insinuated "Leadership" qualities to which we hold all our employees.

Leadership Fort Smith and Leadership Crawford County programs serve to develop, not only our people, but individuals in every business, non-profit and government entity within the region. We believe strong leadership promotes stronger organizations and institutions, which ultimately benefits our entire community. These benefits go beyond financial rewards and impact our quality of life and sense of place. It is good corporate citizenship to support our Leadership programs.

Leadership Fort Smith thanks Citizens Bank & Trust for its long-term support as a Corporate Sponsor.