Banks play a critical role in so many facets of life, from starting or expanding businesses to lending money for a new or dream home. These institutions keep our economy moving while cultivating stability and strengthening investments for the future.

In its second annual “Bankers Behind the Bank” special section, AY magazine profiles the leading men and women responsible for the success of some of our state’s most influential banks. Learn about how they got their start in banking and how they are helping their communities thrive.

Banker Behind the Bank
Chris Howe
Senior Vice President, Northwest Arkansas Market Manager

Chris Howe, senior vice president and Northwest Arkansas market manager, believes saying “no” to his clients can be the best way to earn their trust.

“I do not always say ‘yes,’” Howe says. “I truly try to help my clients be as financially healthy as they can be, and sometimes I have to say, ‘No, but how about this instead?’ I will never tell a client or prospect that I can do something and then go back on what I said. I think it is vitally important for people to find folks that are genuine and hold on to them. Genuine people are too hard to come by these days.”

Howe, who has been in banking for 12 years, was born and raised in Helena and has a degree in commercial banking and finance from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He got his start in the industry while he was in college. He says banks of all sizes – be it a small community bank making a loan for a start-up business in a rural town or a large international bank putting together a leveraged buy-out for a billion-dollar deal; they are both bridging a capital gap.

“We operate like a community bank that makes local decisions, but we have all of the big bank resources that enable us to compete for very large transactions for complex financing and cash flow needs.”

Today, Howe says he’s proud when people come to him looking for financial advice.

“I have always liked the strategy side of banking from the perspective of both the bank and the client. Let’s put a plan together, let’s execute it, and let’s make more money.”

Iberiabank
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