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Little Rock, Ark. – Southern Bancorp, Inc., a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and bank holding company, has announced the promotion of Collins Cook, CPA, CGMA, to Chief Accounting Officer. Cook previously served as the CDFI’s Controller for more than a decade.
“I am excited to welcome Collins into his new role as Chief Accounting Officer,” said Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc. “Collins’ leadership and expertise have been invaluable assets to our organization for many years, and his financial stewardship will be instrumental in helping us deliver on our impactful growth plan while balancing mission and margin.”
Cook brings nearly 20 years of advanced accounting experience to his new role, much of which has been within Southern Bancorp’s unique, mission-focused financial framework. He joined the CDFI in 2012 as its Controller, and over the past 13 years has helped lead the institution’s financial success and soundness through multiple growth intervals. During this time, Southern Bancorp’s asset size has increased from around $1 billion to more than $2.8 billion, and its annual net income has more than doubled. Prior to joining Southern Bancorp, Cook served as Senior Tax Accountant for JPMS Cox, PLLC, from 2009 to 2012.
In his new role as Chief Accounting Officer, Cook will be the senior executive overseeing all accounting functions for Southern Bancorp, Inc., as well as for Southern Bancorp Bank and Southern Bancorp Community Partners, including financial reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis.
“It’s been an honor to call Southern Bancorp home for all these years, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow within our institution,” said Cook. “I look forward to supporting the growth of our important mission in this new role as we strive to deliver access to financial services and wealth-building tools to under-resourced communities across the Mid-South and beyond.”
A Little Rock native, Cook is an alumnus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
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.