Citizens Bank Expands Lending Department with Three Community Leaders

Citizens Bank has expanded its statewide lending department leadership team with the engagement of three community leaders. Batesville’s Landon Downing will now serve as assistant vice president  commercial loan officer, Nathan Harris has been promoted to city president of the Fayetteville market and Michelle “Shelley” Loe has been hired as a commercial loan officer in Arkadelphia.

The addition of these roles will not only increase lending support at Citizens Bank for its customer base across the state, but it also reflects its commitment to developing the next generation of progressive bankers. Downing, Harris and Loe are each leaders in community investment in their own ways and align with the bank’s People First mission.

Downing joined Citizens Bank in 2017, and gained experience in the retail sector and treasury management before stepping into this role in commercial lending. With his local background and expertise with business servicing, this new role is a natural transition.

“Landon has been instrumental in the success of our treasury management department and will continue to excel as a commercial lender,” said Micah Beard, regional president. “He is deeply involved in our community and demonstrates the true meaning of People First.”

Downing currently serves as a member of the steering committee for IMPACT Independence County, planning and zoning commissioner for the City of Batesville, and is a member of NOMADS outdoor recreation and conservation group. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated Cum Laude at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. Downing and his wife, Madelyn, live in Batesville.

“I know I can offer my customers a 360-degree conversation regarding their banking needs,” said Downing. “I have never felt more empowered to exercise our Citizen’s Bank mission each and every day and exceed customer expectations.”

Harris, previously serving as SVP commercial lender at Citizens Bank, will be responsible for leading the Fayetteville team, building new relationships, driving growth in the market, and ensuring that customers’ needs are met with exceptional People First service.

“Nathan’s promotion to Fayetteville city president is the culmination of his hard work and substantial contributions to the team since joining the bank in 2019,” said Vernon Scott, regional president. “Most recently, he successfully led the bank through round two of the paycheck protection program, helping hundreds of new and existing Citizens Bank customers during a time of need. His professionalism, attention to detail and great attitude made him the perfect fit for this new role.”

Harris has more than 16 years of banking experience and is deeply involved in the Fayetteville community, serving with organizations such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas and Children’s Safety Center of Washington County. He is a graduate of Leadership Fayetteville Class XXVII, as well as Leadership Arkansas XV, and volunteers on the Fayetteville Country Club finance committee.

“I am thrilled to work with some of the best bankers in the area to continue to develop this market for Citizens Bank,” said Harris. “We have seen tremendous growth over the past several years, and that is not by accident. Citizens understands what community banking is all about, and our People First culture truly has a positive impact on the customers and communities we serve.”

Harris graduated from Arkansas State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and attended the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He currently resides in Farmington and will be located at the Fayetteville Joyce branch.

“I am honored to have Shelley join our Arkadelphia lending team,” said Lori Ross, Arkadelphia president. “She brings with her years of experience in banking and small business relations. She is a valued asset to Citizens Bank and our customers, as well as an outstanding fit for this position and our team.”

Loe, previously with the Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce, will be responsible for commercial lending within the south central Arkansas market. Her past experience in economic development makes her an excellent champion for the community as a relationship builder and problem solver. Loe brings more than 12 years of banking experience with her, having formed relationships with businesses and entrepreneurs in varying industries.

“Being at Citizens Bank allows me the opportunity to continue community development work in a different way,” said Loe. “Assisting new and existing businesses as they grow and helping individuals achieve their dreams makes this position so rewarding. Citizens Bank truly lives out its People First mission. When a customer succeeds, we all succeed.”

Loe is a Henderson State University graduate and has extensive training in commercial, agricultural and residential lending. She attended Missouri State University Agricultural Lending School and is active in the professional community as an advisory board member of Baptist Health Medical Center, South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative Board and the Veolia Community Advisory Board. Loe was recently appointed to the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Board of Directors and the Arkansas Board of Developmental Disabilities Services. She is involved in community development as part of the Henderson State University School of Business Advisory Board and Downtown Arkadelphia. Loe and her husband, Phillip, reside near Arkadelphia and have two children.

These powerhouse individuals represent how Citizens Bank is responding to its customers' needs in the lending department. Growth in this area necessitates community leaders and that is exactly why these teammates are the right people to meet customer needs.