FORT SMITH, Ark. (Nov. 5, 2019) – Arvest Bank is pleased to announce it has hired Jim Bates. Bates will serve as manager of credit administration for Arvest Equipment Finance (AEF), a division of the bank.
AEF division president Eric Bunnell said the addition of Bates is a result of continued growth and expansion within its vendor program.
“Jim’s duties as manager of credit administration will include enhancing AEF’s credit-scoring models and underwriting procedures to position us to triple our portfolio in the next three to five years, as well as establishing a buy/sell syndication group,” Bunnell said.
Bates most recently worked for CHG-MERIDIAN and Hancock Whitney Equipment Finance, and has formed and led credit and operations groups for multiple equipment finance companies throughout his 30-year career in the industry. Bates earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance at Western Illinois University.
“I am very excited to be able to add Jim to our team,” Bunnell said. “His knowledge and experience will play an important role as we continue to grow and keep credit quality top of mind. Jim will also manage the credit analyst team, which will benefit by learning from his 30 years of experience in this industry.”
AEF is headquartered in Fort Smith, Ark., and does business throughout Arvest’s four-state footprint. It has additional locations in Little Rock, Ark., Kansas City, Mo., and Tulsa, Okla.
About Arvest
Arvest Bank, named by Forbes magazine as one of the “World’s Best Banks” for 2019, operates more than 260 bank branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas through a group of 14 locally managed banks, each with its own board and management team. These banks serve customers in more than 135 communities, with extended weekday banking hours at many locations. Arvest also provides a wide range of banking services including loans, deposits, treasury management, credit cards, mortgage loans and mortgage servicing. Arvest is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC.
About Arvest Wealth Management
Arvest Wealth Management offers wealth management, trust services and insurance products. Investments and Insurance Products: Not FDIC Insured, May Lose Value and Not Guaranteed by the Bank. Trust services provided by Arvest Bank.