October 16th, 2025 Update

Meet Nathan Pittman, Chief Brand Officer at Southern Bancorp

Nathan Pittman serves as Chief Brand Officer at Southern Bancorp, where he leads the organization’s brand strategy with a focus on authenticity, impact, and connection. With a passion for storytelling and a deep understanding of Southern’s mission, Nathan strives to ensure that every touchpoint – from marketing campaigns to community engagement – reflects the values of economic opportunity and financial inclusion.

As Chief Brand Officer, Nathan:

• Shapes and elevates Southern’s brand identity across all platforms and audiences
• Oversees strategic communications, marketing, and public relations efforts
• Builds partnerships that amplify Southern’s mission and deepen community trust
• Leads initiatives that align brand strategy with business goals and social impact

Prior to joining Southern, Nathan held leadership positions in marketing and communications across both corporate and nonprofit sectors. His career spans creative direction, brand development, and community outreach – giving him a unique lens on how to build meaningful connections between institutions and the people they serve.

Whether he’s crafting a campaign or collaborating with community leaders, Nathan’s work is grounded in purpose and driven by a belief in the power of storytelling to inspire change.

5 Questions with… Nathan Pittman

1. How long have you been with Southern?

I’ve been with Southern Bancorp for 12 years. 

2. What do you do at Southern?

I’m the Chief Brand Officer, which means I lead our outstanding Marketing and Communications team. We handle everything from advertising, design, writing, event planning, and promotional items to social media, websites, internal communications, and public relations. I also lead our culture engagement programs like the RAISE Reward core value program and Community Core, our volunteer initiative which boasted nearly 17,000 hours last year! Most importantly, I help tell Southern’s story – who we are, why we exist, what we do, and how we make a difference. 

3. What’s your favorite thing about working for Southern?

It’s a tie. One of my favorite things would have to be telling the story of our impact – how Southern helps build wealth for everyone, regardless of income, background, or zip code. I love sitting with customers and hearing how we helped them – whether it was building credit or building a manufacturing plant. It’s cool because our work can vary so much in how it’s delivered, but the purpose behind it all comes from the same place – to help folks build brighter financial futures.  

I also love simply telling Southern’s story. What many don’t know is that we are not a singular company that sprouted out of the ground one day. Southern has grown over nearly four decades by seeking out the most talented, most passionate, most fun-loving, and most impact-minded people, teams, and financial institutions around to join us on this mission to be Wealth Builders for Everyone. Our success is a direct result of those who have joined us over the years, bringing their talents, passion, and expertise with them to help us innovate, evolve, and grow. Our history, our mission, and our values have all been shaped by the many people and teams who have joined us on this journey, and I’m so excited to see how the Legacy team further shapes that shared future! 

4. What excites you the most about the Legacy team joining the Southern team?

I’m excited about the energy, pride, and success the Legacy team brings. You’re clearly passionate about your work and you have fun doing it! I’m excited to share more about Southern, but I’m equally excited to learn from you. We’re impactful because of the people we bring together and what we learn from each other! 

5. What is your favorite quote?

“We can’t just hope for a brighter day, we have to work for a brighter day.”  – Dolly Parton    

Legacy Blog

Reflections on the Southern Bancorp Brand Council

As I’ve come to learn and appreciate, Southern Bancorp has a group that they call their Brand Council, which is made up of dozens of team members representing all corners of their footprint and all levels of service and responsibility – from tellers to branch managers and market presidents to division directors. This group meets quarterly, in person, with CEO Darrin Williams and other key leaders to collaborate and strategize in an open forum where everyone has a voice to represent their team and the ears of their executives.

I was honored for the opportunity to attend their recent Q3 Brand Council meeting in Little Rock, along with other members of our Legacy Bank & Trust team.

One of the aspects I appreciated most was the format of the meeting itself. Creating space for team members from across the bank to share their perspectives openly and honestly is not only healthy for the organization, but it also builds trust and alignment. Hearing those voices firsthand underscored the strength of Southern’s culture and the authenticity of its commitment to continuous improvement.

I was also encouraged by the level of transparency shown in discussing strategic initiatives. It’s clear that Southern is committed to bringing its team along on the journey, ensuring that everyone understands not just where the organization is headed, but why.

It was equally impactful to see several members of the executive leadership team in attendance and actively participating in the discussion. Their presence spoke volumes about the importance leadership places on the feedback and ideas shared in these sessions.

Another highlight was the opportunity to review the results of their recent employee engagement survey. Seeing that data and, more importantly, seeing the organization’s willingness to act on it reinforced Southern’s focus on building a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and connected to a larger purpose.

Finally, perhaps the most inspiring part of the day was witnessing the passion and buy-in employees have for the mission. It’s clear that the work Southern does in its communities is deeply meaningful to the people who deliver it every day.

It was also a pleasure to meet and connect with team members from across various markets. Those conversations added even more depth to my appreciation for the people and purpose behind this organization.

I left the Brand Council meeting with a strong sense of optimism about the future, not just for Southern and Legacy as individual institutions, but for what we can achieve together.

On behalf of myself and the Legacy Bank & Trust team members who were able to attend, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Southern Bancorp for the invitation to attend this meeting. It was a valuable experience for all of us. I left with a deeper understanding of and even greater enthusiasm for the mission and direction of the organization – and an excitement that a few members of our team will soon become part of this Brand Council.

Mission Minutes

Every two weeks, we’ll feature a message from a Southern staff member to you. These “Mission Minutes” are short and sweet videos providing you the opportunity to meet one of our Wealth Builders and hear directly from them why they work at Southern and what our mission means to them.

This week, enjoy hearing from Hunter Deweese, SBA President, who has been with Southern Bancorp since 2017. 

Impact in Action

Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR

Healthcare is one of our country’s most important industries, particularly in Arkansas where access to care isn’t always within reach of everyone’s zip code. To treat these symptoms, as well as the ongoing nursing shortage in the region, Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) sought to do something new, and which only a few institutions in the state offer – a full-track nursing program.

But while there is an increasing demand for nurses, creating a nursing program is difficult and expensive. In order to do this, the university would need to find partners who believed in the need for nursing, believed in healthcare, and believed in the impact such a project would have on the economy. OBU found that partner in Southern Bancorp.

Through our New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) program, Southern Bancorp was able to help the university finance a state-of-the-art, 6,600-square-foot facility with more than $1 million of simulation technology and medical equipment from which future nurses can learn, grow, and prepare for the careers ahead of them.

NMTC funding serves as a way of bridging financial gaps. Eligible, mission-focused financial institutions, such as Southern Bancorp, may apply to receive tax credit allocations annually from the U.S. Treasury to use intentionally to promote growth in under-resourced communities. With the NMTC credits we receive, we take these intentions a step further, specifically targeting healthcare, education, and economic development. OBU’s nursing program checked all three of those boxes.

“We’re grateful for the partnership with Southern Bancorp. What we’re doing is a vibrant part of the Arkadelphia community and South Arkansas.”
– Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita Baptist University

October 2nd, 2025 Update

Meet Kenya Gordon, President of Southern Bancorp Community Partners (SBCP), Southern’s nonprofit loan fund and financial development organization. Kenya leads SBCP with a deep commitment to economic equity and community empowerment, guiding the organization’s mission to build wealth in underserved communities through financial counseling, flexible lending, asset development, and advocacy.

Under Kenya’s leadership, SBCP:

• Provides specialized lending solutions, including down payment assistance for homebuyers
• Delivers asset-building services such as financial counseling, business development, matched savings accounts, and free tax assistance
• Secures grants and investments to expand access to financial tools and services for low-income communities

Kenya brings a diverse and dynamic background to her role. Prior to joining Southern, she practiced complex civil litigation and family law in Central Arkansas and Memphis, TN. Her career also includes experience as a financial advisor and as an algebra teacher in Memphis Public Schools — demonstrating her multifaceted approach to service and leadership.

5 Questions with… Kenya Gordon

How long have you been with Southern?
Since January 2022.

What do you do at Southern?
I have a dual role. I lead the Investor Relations and Stakeholder Engagement department as the SVP of Stakeholder Engagement, and for the past year and 10 months, it has been my honor to serve as the President of Southern Bancorp Community Partners.

What’s your favorite thing about working for Southern?
I have a sincere and abiding belief that Southern has the ability and fortitude to create a real solution to the long-standing problem of financial inequity in our country. I am very passionate about the true promise of American life and it being a reality for absolutely everyone without limitation. I have had the luxury of chasing my place in the world in several careers, but it is only in this place, at this time, that I feel that my passion can be realized, and for that, I am grateful.

What excites you the most about the Legacy team joining the Southern team? 
Integrating the Legacy team and markets will be an opportunity to further demonstrate that our shared focus of impact and change has wings.

What is your favorite quote?
“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.”
— Maya Angelou

Mission Minutes

Every two weeks, we’ll feature a message from a Southern staff member to you. These “Mission Minutes” are short and sweet videos providing you the opportunity to meet one of our Wealth Builders and hear directly from them why they work at Southern and what our mission means to them.

This week, enjoy hearing from Stacey Marlar, Director of Products, who has been with Southern Bancorp for nearly 30 years!

Impact in Action

Kelly Hollis Jr.
Little Rock, AR

EcoPump HVAC, led by Kelly Hollis Jr., is a heating and air, energy efficiency, and controls/instrumentation business that services a number of communities throughout the state of Arkansas. When the business was created in 2023, Kelly had plenty of experience and expertise in the trade to do the work, but along the way learned that he had room to grow on the business side of entrepreneurship – particularly with access to funding to secure and scale his operations.

After completing our 12-week Micro Business Empowerment Program, EcoPump HVAC is now thriving, having expanded its operations and revenue streams, created new jobs for its community, and even started the first Black-owned HVAC control/instrumentation apprenticeship program in the state. And earlier this year, Kelly was selected to serve as an advisory board member for UA-Pulaski Technical College’s Adult Education Program.

Our Micro Business Empowerment Program, which is managed and delivered by Southern Bancorp Community Partners, provides no-cost business technical assistance and funding readiness to support our local businesses with the tools needed to grow and scale.

“Before the MBEP program, I was an HVAC serviceman doing jobs. Now, I’m an entrepreneur who runs an HVAC business.”
– Kelly Hollis Jr.

September 18th, 2025 Update

Meet John Olaimey, President and CEO of Southern Bancorp Bank, who leads our banking operations with a strategic, mission-focused vision that is rooted in deep industry experience and a strong commitment to community impact.

John has more than two decades of leadership experience in banking, finance, corporate law, and executive management. At Southern Bancorp Bank, he oversees all banking activities, operations, and performance, including our Retail Banking, Lending, Credit and Loan Review, Mortgage, and SBA divisions.

Under John’s leadership, Southern Bancorp Bank is responsible for:

• Delivering our mission to our communities via lending and retail functions at all bank branches
• Managing credit and loan review processes, protocols, and policies, ensuring that each aligns with our goal to provide responsive and responsible lending to those who need it most
• Providing specialized and high-impact products and services tailored to the unique needs of our customers and communities

5 Questions with… John Olaimey

How long have you been with Southern?
My first day on the job was Valentine’s Day 2012, so I guess you could say I was destined to love working at Southern!

What do you do at Southern?
As President & CEO of Southern Bancorp Bank, I oversee all banking activities here at Southern – including lending, retail, mortgage, SBA, and NMTC, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

What is your favorite thing about working for Southern?
Our mission. I love the way we are intentionally disciplined in balancing margin and mission, like no other organization in the country.

What excites you the most about the Legacy team joining the Southern team?
That’s an easy one – the people. I can’t wait to officially meet, greet, and welcome all of our new team members.

What is your favorite quote?
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“God didn’t create me to serve myself.” – My dad

Bonus: What is an interesting fact about you?
I have six kids – five boys and one girl – who range in age from 10 to 26. There is no greater honor of my life than being a dad.

Mission Minutes

Every two weeks, we’ll feature a message from a Southern staff member to you. These “Mission Minutes” are short and sweet videos providing you the opportunity to meet one of our Wealth Builders and hear directly from them why they work at Southern and what our mission means to them.

This week, enjoy hearing from Miguel Lopez, Market Strategy Executive – Hispanic/Latino Market at Southern Bancorp.

¡Disfruta de unos minutos escuchando a Miguel!

Impact in Action

Noe Moreno
Arkadelphia, AR

Noe Moreno is originally from Guerrero, Mexico, and has lived in Arkadelphia, AR, for 25 years. Seven years ago, he pulled a few dollars out of his pocket, purchased a $10 push mower at a yard sale, and took a leap of faith by pursuing his own landscaping business. For the first few years, he kept his day job and handled his entrepreneurship business on the side, but the dream was to eventually make the company his full-time occupation.

With the help of Southern Bancorp’s commercial lending team, Noe was able to make that dream a reality and greatly expand his lines of business.

With the support of accessible, flexible capital and a bank that believed in him, Noe has since turned his one-person lawn care business into a landscaping and dumpster rental service that not only supports him full-time, but is also now providing multiple jobs for his local community.

“Truth be told, I am now living the American Dream.” – Noe Moreno

September 4th, 2025 Update

Hello Legacy Team,

It’s been a minute since we last connected, and I’m thrilled to be kicking off a new way for us to stay in touch as we move forward together.

Starting this week, we’re launching bi-weekly updates on our new Southern + Legacy Welcome Site. This site is your go-to spot for updates, insights, and answers as we prepare for the exciting journey ahead.

Here’s what you can expect every other Thursday:

• Leadership Introductions – Meet Southern leaders and learn about their roles in the integration. This section will also feature a short Q&A segment – our first intro article will appear in our next update (Thursday, September 18th).
• Mission Minutes – Short videos from Southern team members sharing what it’s like working here and how they personally connect to our mission. We know video access can be tricky during the workday, so feel free to watch when it’s convenient for you.
• Impact in Action – Real stories from Southern customers that show our mission in motion.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching a new FAQs page – to include a growing list of frequently asked questions as well as a place for you to submit your own questions.

We’ll also be adding a section in the menu above titled CEO Blogs, which will include a collection of my monthly blogs to Southern staff that we publish in our employee newsletter and through which I share updates, inspiration, and impact with our team that I am honored to now share with you. 

And don’t stress if you miss an update here and there. All updates will be archived on the page so you can catch up at any time.

So, what’s been happening this summer?

The short answer is…a lot! Since announcing the deal in June, we’ve been busy building bridges (and crossing several). In July, we hosted the Legacy leadership team for a visit across several of our markets — from Little Rock to the Mississippi Delta. It was more than a tour — it was a chance to connect, share stories, and see firsthand the communities we serve.

From meeting inspiring customers in Memphis, TN, and Clarksdale, MS, to walking through our branches and future sites, the visit confirmed what we’ve believed from the start: this is a strong match. Legacy’s commitment to serving rural and underserved communities aligns beautifully with Southern’s mission, and we’re excited to learn from each other as we grow together.

In August, I traveled to the Dallas/Fort Worth area with several Southern leaders, including SBB CEO John Olaimey; Head of Retail, Seun Aiyese; Chief Strategy Officer, Will Lambe; and our Hispanic Market Strategy Executive, Miguel Lopez. It was great meeting the teams in those branches, and I’m looking forward to visiting every branch in the coming weeks and months.

Also in August, we launched several integration workstreams — covering everything from operations and finance to HR and culture. These teams, made up of both Southern and Legacy staff, are working hard to ensure a smooth transition. While we expect the deal to close late this year or early 2026, a full integration will likely take all next year. That’s intentional. We want to do this right, with a strong focus on cultural alignment and long-term success.

Looking Ahead

As we head into Autumn, I’m filled with optimism about the future we’re building together. We’re committed to making this transition as smooth and meaningful as possible, and we’re thrilled to have you on this journey with us.

So keep an eye out for these updates every other Thursday. And if you’ve got questions, thoughts, or just want to say hello, we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s to a bright future that we’re building together!

Warmly,
Darrin Williams
CEO, Southern Bancorp

Mission Minutes

Every two weeks, we’ll feature a message from a Southern staff member to you. These “Mission Minutes” are short and sweet videos providing you the opportunity to meet one of our Wealth Builders and hear directly from them why they work at Southern and what our mission means to them.

Up first is Charles Blake, former Arkansas State Representative and current Little Rock Market Executive at Southern Bancorp.

Enjoy a minute (or two) with Charles (at the zoo)!

Impact in Action

Robby Hawkins
Lexa, AR

Robby Hawkins is a single dad of three boys aged 10, 12, and 14. Raising three boys is a job in itself, but on top of his full-time occupation as a truck driver, through which he often hits six states or more in the same week, Robby had his hands full. Amid this juggling act, the three-bedroom trailer they were living in was becoming dilapidated. “Life” was taking a toll, and Robby was in need of a break. He had a dream to purchase a home for his family that was also closer to his parents, who help with the boys while he’s on the road, but the savings foundation needed to unlock this opportunity was out of his reach.

That’s when he found out about Southern Bancorp’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program, which, through a funding partnership with the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ TANF program in 2023, offered income- and dependent-eligible Arkansans the ability to receive three times their savings for a qualified purchase. After participants saved $667 of their own money and completed financial literacy courses, the program matched them with an additional $2,000, for a total of $2,667 to purchase or make repairs to a home, open or grow a small business, or for education or vocational training.

While he was on the road on a big rig in New Mexico, Southern Bancorp’s nonprofit, lending, and IDA teams got Robby and his boys squared away with the application, approval process, IDA funding for his down payment, and an affordable home loan to seal the deal.

When all was said and done, Robby came out as a first-time homeowner and is living in a bigger and better space for his family’s needs, while simultaneously spending less money per month on his mortgage than he was for rent.