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Arkadelphia, Ark. – Southern Bancorp Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and one of the nation’s oldest and most impactful community development banks, has announced the promotion of Andrea Tugwell to Retail Regional Director, West Region.
“Andrea’s well-deserved promotion is a reflection of her dedication to our mission and her ability to lead with integrity and care,” said Seun Aiyese, Head of Retail at Southern Bancorp Bank. “She has consistently demonstrated a passion for serving others, and we’re excited to see her continue to grow in this expanded role.”
Over the years, Tugwell has held a number of different roles in retail banking. She began her banking career in January 2002 as a teller at Superior Bank in Malvern, a branch that later became Elk Horn Bank and ultimately Southern Bancorp Bank, marking the beginning of her long-standing tenure with the CDFI. In 2009, she became a Personal Banker at Southern Bancorp’s Main Branch in Arkadelphia, and by April 2010, she stepped into her first branch leadership role as Branch Manager of its Arkadelphia-Pine Street location. Most recently, she served as Retail Market Manager, overseeing the bank’s Bismarck, Gurdon, and Arkadelphia-Pine Street branches.
In her new role, Tugwell will lead the retail operations in six markets and 15 branches across the bank’s West Region, including Arkadelphia-Main, Arkadelphia-Pine Street, Bismarck, El Dorado-Main, El Dorado-Hillsboro, Glenwood, Gurdon, Hamburg, Hot Springs-Airport, Hot Springs-Central, Hot Springs-Eastgate, Little Rock-12th Street, Lockesburg, Malvern, and Mount Ida.
Outside of work, Tugwell enjoys spending time with her husband of 23 years, Dusty, and their two sons, Jack and Leighton. Andrea is deeply involved in her local community, and she and her family are very active with local sports, including golf, baseball, and basketball.
About Southern Bancorp
Founded in 1986 by some of the nation’s leading political, business, and philanthropic leaders with an initial investment of $10 million, Southern Bancorp, Inc., along with its development partners – Southern Bancorp Bank and Southern Bancorp Community Partners – has grown into a $2.8 billion asset organization with 56 locations serving customers throughout the South. Southern Bancorp has a unique array of financial products and services designed to help individuals at all stages of life’s financial journey – from teaching kids how to save to helping entrepreneurs and families realize the American Dream. Southern Bancorp is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, certified B-Corp, and proud member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. Learn more at www.BankSouthern.com and www.SouthernPartners.org.