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Arkadelphia, Ark. – Southern Bancorp Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has announced the promotion of Stacey Marlar to Director of Product. Marlar has been with Southern Bancorp since 1999, most recently working as its Retail Operations Director, West Region.
“Stacey has worked in nearly every retail banking role during her many years at Southern Bancorp, which made her the perfect person to lead our expanding product strategies,” said Michael Ersland, Head of Product, Payments and Data Insights. “Adding Stacey’s experience and expertise to this new position will be vital as we grow into new and existing markets, ensuring that we do so in innovative ways that align our unique history and mission alongside a competitive slate of products that help everyone in our communities build wealth, no matter the zip code or starting point.”
Marlar brings nearly 30 years of banking experience to her new role, all of which as a member of the Southern Bancorp team. She first joined the CDFI in 1999 as a drive-thru teller, and since then has worked her way up through a number of different roles, including new accounts, deposit operations, branch management, and ultimately her latest role of Retail Operations Director.
In her new role as Director of Product, Marlar will help shape and guide Southern Bancorp’s product strategies, including streamlining and enhancing its suite of available products to better meet the needs of its current and future customer base.
“I am excited for the opportunity to grow at Southern Bancorp and lead our evolving product strategies,” said Marlar. “It has been an honor to be part of this special organization and to serve our customers for all these years, and I look forward to continuing to support the financial futures of our neighbors, their families, and our local businesses in this new role.”
A native of Clark County, Marlar earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Henderson State University, and is a 2007 graduate of the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, Tenn. She is very active in her local community, including serving on the boards of Group Living, Inc. and the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance.
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.