Simmons Bank on Wednesday announced the addition of Cole Plafcan as senior vice president and director of agricultural lending, a newly created division within its Community Banking group.
Plafcan will lead efforts to expand agricultural business across the six-state footprint of Simmons, which last fall was ranked as one of the Top 35 farming lenders by volume in the U.S., according to FDIC data.
“With the depth of agricultural lending experience and his solid track record, Cole is a natural fit to lead the Simmons Bank team,” said Freddie Black, EVP and chief community banking officer for Simmons. “As we continue to expand lending activity across our footprint, this new division will provide Simmons Bank an even greater opportunity to connect customers with products and services to meet their needs.”
Plafcan is an alumnus of the University of Arkansas and a 1994 letterman for the Razorback football team. He has more than 25 years of agricultural lending experience and previously served as SVP/chief lending and marketing officer at AgHeritage Farm Credit Services. Plafcan was responsible for overall marketing strategy for loans, products and services, as well as overseeing development and implementation of business plans and operational policies.
Plafcan also is the former chairman of the Lonoke County Committee for Farm Family of the Year and the former board president for the Junior Deputy Baseball League in Little Rock.
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