Who is Franklin Bass?

I am originally from Arkadelphia. My parents are transplanted Texans. My father teaches political science at Ouachita Baptist University and my mother teaches English at Henderson State University. I always knew I wanted to live and work in my home state, and I attended the University of Arkansas and graduated in 2002. It became important to me to make friends and form relationships with people that I would know throughout my personal and professional life. I pledged Sigma Chi fraternity and chose finance as my major in the Sam Walton School of Business. The decision to attend the U of A has proved to be the experience that has defined my career and my adult life. First Security Bank in Fayetteville is where I received my first full-time employment experience. It was there that I met several men who became friends, as well as, great mentors. U of A is also where I met my wife, Amanda, who was born and raised in Hot Springs.

I returned to Arkadelphia in 2006 to work at Summit Bank before transferring to Hot Springs in 2009. I joined Simmons Bank in 2014. Our first child, David Franklin, was born in 2008 followed by Nora in 2011 and Isaac in 2014. Helping others, working hard and being community minded are traits that were modeled for me as a young boy by my parents and grandparents. At present, I am a member of Lake Valley Community Church, where I serve as a Home Group leader. I am on the board of Mid-America Science Museum, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. I am a member of Hot Springs Future Fund and Fifty for the Future. with history of the hot water and character of downtown set the stage for great living. Hot Springs is large enough for a diverse business community but small enough to have that warm hometown feeling.