Union Bankshares, Inc. to Unify Banks Under Common Name and Charter
Mena, AR (September 15, 2023) – Union Bankshares, Inc. of Mena today announced a plan to unify the organization under a common name and bank charter. The Union Bankshares, Inc. holding company currently operates two Arkansas bank charters, Union Bank and First National Bank at Paris. First National Bank at Paris operates branches under the First National Bank and Community National Bank brands. First National Bank at Paris and Community National Bank have long been a part of the Union Bank family, operating within the Union Bankshares, Inc. holding company since 2005.
The charter consolidation is expected to be finalized in February 2024, at which time all nine offices in five counties will operate as Union Bank. Customers will be able to do business at any of the Bank’s nine locations in Booneville, Caulksville, Clarksville, Hatfield, Mena, Ozark, Paris, Waldron, and Wickes.
“Unifying our banks under a common name and charter will allow us to fully leverage our combined strengths, as we continually invest in our customers and communities,” stated Jarrod Yarnell, Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank. “The confusion of having three distinct names within our holding company will be gone, but our ownership, management and operations will remain just as they are today. We remain firm in our commitment to local bankers making local decisions,” he added.
“We’ve always been the premier local bank in Arkansas’s West Central and River Valley communities. As a community bank, we take great pride in our relationship-based business model focused on building long-term trust with our customers. After all, we live in your community too, and your success is our success,” Steven Sosebee, River Valley Market President of Union Bank commented. “Our allegiance to our communities is stronger than ever with our soon-to-be common name and banking charter.”
First National Bank at Paris customers should continue to use their existing checks, debit cards, website and other services at this time. The bank will notify First National Bank at Paris customers later this year with updates and timelines regarding the rebrand and unification of banking services. The bank has a webpage at firstparis.net/resources/unifying to answer questions customers may have about the plans for a common name and charter.
President of Union Bank Kevin Williams said he is excited that customers of Union Bank will have additional ATMs and locations available but emphasized that customers of Union Bank will not be directly impacted by the unification other than having the additional locations to conduct their banking business.
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