LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arvest Bank is pleased to announce Matt Machen has been named regional executive of enhanced banking services.

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Machen joined Arvest following its acquisition of Bear State Financial, Inc., the parent company of Bear State Bank. At the time of the acquisition, Machen was president and CEO of the holding company and the bank.

In his new role at Arvest, Machen will manage its wealth management, treasury management, mortgage production, equipment finance, small business administration and group credit administration units, as well as WACO Title, an Arvest affiliate.

Machen began his banking career in 2003 and joined Bear State Bank (then known as First Federal) in 2011. He was named CFO in 2013 and president in 2016. Machen became president and CEO of the holding company and bank in 2017.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in finance, Machen also is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania and the Executive Financial Leadership Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Among other civic endeavors, Machen has been a board member of the Dean’s Alumni Advisory Council for the University of Arkansas’ Walton College of Business, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas. He lives in Little Rock with his wife, Cameron, and their three children.