First Community Bank announced Friday that longtime employee Dwight Ford has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer. In his new role, Ford will lead and direct the institution’s overall loan portfolio. With 27 years of experience in banking, Ford joined First Community Bank in 2007, most recently serving as executive vice president, chief credit officer.
First Community Bank, which is locally owned and managed, opened August 4, 1997, in Batesville, and currently operates 29 full-service branches in Arkansas and Missouri. First Community employs 520 professional bankers and reports assets of $2.06 billion as of March 31, 2022.
“Our First Community Bank family is fortunate to have a person with Dwight’s experience, attitude, and qualifications to serve in this important position,” said Boris Dover, president and COO for First Community Bank. “We are confident that his contributions will lead to further success and growth for the bank in the years to come.”
Ford earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance with an emphasis in Banking from Arkansas State University. He went on to earn his MBA at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and his certificate in financial planning from Christian Brothers University. Additionally, he holds a designation as a CRCM (Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager) from American Bankers Association.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to help shape the future of such a rapidly growing, community-oriented bank,” said Ford. “We are on an exciting growth trajectory, and I look forward to strengthening our business relationships by collaborating with our team, our partners and our customers on business opportunities.”
Ford is an active member in his community and currently serves as a member of the Batesville School District school board and the Batesville Rotary Club (past president, vice president, secretary and treasurer). He is the treasurer for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (past Vestry member) and is a trustee and treasurer for the Tunstall Cemetery.
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