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Little Rock, Ark. – Southern Bancorp Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has announced the hiring of Brad Paul as its first Little Rock Market President, the latest expansion of the CDFI’s efforts in the capital city.
“Brad is one of Little Rock’s most accomplished lending leaders, and it’s a pleasure to welcome him to our mission-focused team,” said John Olaimey, President and CEO of Southern Bancorp Bank. “The addition of Brad’s experience and expertise to our team will help us continue to grow our local impact and make an even greater difference for the individuals, families, and small businesses we serve.”
Paul brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role with Southern Bancorp. Most recently, he was Executive Vice President at Encore Bank, and prior to that served as Little Rock Market President for Central Bank. Paul has held similar roles and responsibilities for a number of institutions over the past three decades, including First Commercial Bank, One Bank and Trust, and Community First Bank.
As Southern Bancorp’s first Little Rock Market President, Paul will lead the bank’s expanding lending efforts and strategies in the capital city and across Central Arkansas. The CDFI opened its first full-service branch in Little Rock in 2023, which is located within a former bank desert along the 12th Street Corridor. Since then, Southern Bancorp has worked to deliver its unique, mission-focused blend of traditional banking products with a slate of financial development tools to more families and businesses throughout the community.
“It’s an honor to join the Southern Bancorp mission, as I’ve long respected the work that they and other CDFIs throughout the country do for under-resourced communities,” said Paul. “I’m excited to lead our local lending team, help us grow our local portfolio, and to support more of our neighbors along their financial journeys.”
A Little Rock native, Paul is a graduate of Catholic High School and an alumnus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he majored in Psychology and minored in General Business. He also studied at Arkansas State University’s Lending School and is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Advanced Commercial Lending School. He has served on a number of local boards over the course of his career, including the Arkansas Hospice Foundation, the Chambers of Commerce for Rogers, Sherwood, and Bentonville-Bella Vista, and in 2025 was appointed to the North Little Rock Civil Service Commission by Mayor Terry Hartwick.
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.