Arvest Bank is pleased to announce Scott Copeland has been named president and CEO for the bank in North Arkansas.
Copeland has 15 years of industry experience, most recently serving as community bank president for Arvest in Mountain Home, Ark. In his new role, Copeland will serve as president and CEO for Arvest’s North Arkansas region, which includes oversight of its banks and leadership in Harrison, Yellville, Flippin, Mountain Home, Jonesboro and their surrounding areas.
Copeland replaces Mike Willard, who has been named regional director of community banks for Arvest in Benton County, Ark.
“Scott’s ability to relate, engage, interact with and lead our associates has become more and more evident during his time in Mountain Home and makes him the ideal person for this job,” said Craig Rivaldo, regional executive for Arvest. “Additionally, his vision for how we can improve what we offer our customers and communities in this region is compelling and aligned with our bank-wide goals. His passion for improving the customer experience and being a reliable community partner will become evident to anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of meeting him.”
Copeland earned a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance from Arkansas State University and completed both the Barrett School of Banking’s three-year graduate school and its commercial lending program.
Copeland has been a member of the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas’ board of directors since 2018 and currently serves as its finance chairperson. He also is a past board president of the Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce and has served on the board of directors for the Twin Lakes Community Foundation, Twin Lakes Future Fund and Baxter Regional Medical Center’s Peitz Cancer Support House, among other civic endeavors.
Copeland and his wife, Johnnie, have one son and live in Mountain Home.
“I am grateful for – and humbled by – this opportunity,” Copeland said. “There is a lot of change and growth underway in North Arkansas and we want to help drive that change both as a bank and as a community partner. That means many things, including continued efforts to foster economic development through support of our local industries and small businesses, as well as maintaining Arvest’s work to make North Arkansas a better place to live, work and play.”
Arvest’s new North Arkansas region consists of the former North Central Arkansas region and includes the addition of the Jonesboro market.
“This expansion is a strategic move for Arvest that will allow us to better serve our customers and communities in North Arkansas,” Rivaldo said.