Chief Banking Officer

About the job Chief Banking Officer


Arkansas Talent Group's Executive Search Division is exclusively working with a large regional Bank in Arkansas to help them find a Chief Banking Officer for their organization. This is a newly created position within the bank to help the CEO lead its core banking businesses. This executive will drive loan and deposit growth, deepen client relationships, and oversee a multi-line banking platform that includes commercial/C&I banking, small business/SBA, mortgage and consumer lending, and treasury management. Chief Banking Officer can potentially live in a few different places in Arkansas, but preferably in Little Rock, Arkansas .


The Chief Banking Officer will report directly to the President & CEO and serve as a key member of the executive leadership team.

• Develop and execute a unified banking strategy across all markets to grow loans, deposits, and fee income in alignment with the bank's risk appetite and long-term plan
• Translate the CEO and Board's strategic objectives into clear business plans, revenue targets, and performance metrics by line of business and by market
• Identify and pursue new market segments, products, and partnerships that expand the bank's presence while staying true to its community-banking brand
• Lead the overall banking strategy across Commercial / C&I, Small Business / SBA, Mortgage & Consumer, and Treasury Management lines of business
• Own banking production results, including loan growth, core deposit generation, treasury management expansion, and cross-sell performance
• Provide executive leadership to Regional Presidents, Market Presidents, and centralized banking leaders, with clear accountability for P&L, pipeline, sales execution, and talent development
• Partner closely with the Chief Credit Officer on credit culture, deal structuring, underwriting alignment, and portfolio management
• Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer on pricing, net interest margin, profitability, and balance sheet implications of growth strategies
• Work with Operations, Technology, Digital, and branch leadership to ensure product delivery, onboarding, and customer experience support growth objectives
• Establish and maintain strong sales management disciplines, including CRM usage, pipeline governance, RM standards, and performance metrics across markets
• Contribute to strategic planning, market expansion decisions, and board-level discussions related to banking performance and future growth
• Manage a large team of multiple SVPs, VPs, Regional Presidents and department heads

• Senior banking executive experience with responsibility for multiple lines of business and meaningful market coverage (commercial/community/regional bank background strongly preferred)
• Proven track record driving commercial/C&I growth, deposit generation, and treasury management penetration in a relationship-focused environment
• Experience leading or closely partnering with small business/SBA, mortgage and consumer lending, and treasury management teams
• Strong P&L orientation and understanding of bank economics, including pricing, margin management, and relationship profitability
• Demonstrated success leading through a layered organization that includes regional executives, market leaders, and centralized specialty teams
• Highly collaborative and effective partnering with Credit, Finance, Risk, Operations, and executive leadership
• Strong leadership presence, ability to attract and develop senior talent, and comfort operating as a visible leader in local markets and communities

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Advanced degree, banking school, or relevant industry certifications preferred
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in commercial and/or business banking, including executive-level oversight
• Experience in a bank of similar or greater size and complexity is strongly preferred

• Excellent compensation package that includes strong base salary, lucrative cash bonuses, plus Equity
• Premier benefits package and ample PTO
• Cell Phone Allowance, Country Club expenses, Vehicle stipend
• Executive-level impact and visibility, reporting directly to the President & CEO
• Oversight of multiple banking lines with clear mandate to grow loans, deposits, and fee income
• Opportunity to shape market strategy, product focus, and client experience across an established regional footprint