Arvest Bank has promoted Franklin Bass to community bank president for southwest Arkansas. Bass replaces Don Gooch, who was promoted to regional director of community bank presidents.
Bass was hired by Arvest in May as community market president in Hot Springs, with more than 17 years of experience in the banking industry. In his eight months as community market president, Bass closed multiple commercial loans, referred mortgage and consumer loans, referred private banking customers, and led the commercial lending team in Hot Springs.
“In eight months here, Franklin has overseen incredible success for the team in Hot Springs,” Gooch said. “Franklin has demonstrated dedication to hard work, service to his team, and utilizing all the resources that Arvest provides. I am excited to see what success he has as community bank president for southwest Arkansas.”
In his new position, Bass will lead Arvest’s southwest Arkansas team. His goals are to increase profitability, improve efficiency, improve loan growth, maximize household growth and increase services per household.
Bass has served the Hot Springs community in numerous leadership positions, including chairman of the Hot Springs Metro Partnership, chairman of the Hot Springs Future Fund, treasurer for Fifty for the Future, and as a board member for Habitat for Humanity, Mid-America Science Museum, National Park College Foundation Inc. and the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation.