Merchants and Planters Bank
Merchants and Planters Bank
Merchants and Planters Bank recently opened a new branch at 1621 W. Beebe Capps Expressway in Searcy. This full-service location is dedicated to meeting the banking needs of Searcy and White County, and Tammara Ford of Searcy took on the task of running this branch.
“Merchants and Planters Bank is something that Searcy has been needing for a long time now,” she said. “It’s a true community bank that cares about each of its customers.”
The bank has been in Arkansas since 1946, Ford said, and works to be a one-stop shop to meet its customers’ financial needs, whether through a personal checking account, a small-business loan or investing. Before opening the full-service branch, the bank had a mortgage-lending office, and Ford was the only employee.
“We soon recognized that she had the work ethic and enthusiasm of an entire team,” said Jim Gowen Jr., president and CEO. “We were thrilled to be so well received in such a short time period, and I give Tammara a tremendous amount of credit for making that happen.”
Ford began working for the bank in January 2014. She started in the banking industry in 2000, but took a break to stay home. Once her youngest daughter was in middle school, she felt the urge to return to the industry because she had always enjoyed the career. At the time, Merchants and Planters was looking to start building its footprint in the Searcy area, and Ford’s name came up in the conversation.
“Next thing I knew, I was dusting off the high heels, donning my pantsuit and getting back in the saddle,” she said.
Ford said her favorite part of working at the bank is the people: Every day she gets to meet new people and help them with their financial goals. Her duties include everything from lending, customer service and managing employees to tracking deposits and maintaining the bank’s loan portfolio.
Ford manages three other employees at the branch — Karlee Taylor, loan assistant; Alyson Eaves, teller; and Haley Shanks, teller. The three are also customerservice representatives, and Ford said they are amazing to work with.
Ford said that her mother has been one of her biggest mentors because she was always a shining example of balance and success.
WE SOON RECOGNIZED THAT FORD HAD THE WORK ETHIC AND ENTHUSIASM OF AN ENTIRE TEAM. — Jim Gowen Jr.