News

BATESVILLE – April 21, 2014  – Sylvia Lovell, an employee of the Batesville School District for more than four decades, was named today as the April 2014 recipient of the “Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award” for the Batesville School District.  Mrs. Lovell, who is currently Secretary at Eagle Mountain Magnet School, has also worked at Batesville Junior High School, East Elementary and the Kindergarten Center.

BATESVILLE – April 9, 2014 – Applications are now available for the 2014 Citizens Bank Education Initiative, the fourth annual program in which educators in the Batesville School District receive the opportunity to share in $15,000 in grants to fund unique and innovative classroom concepts and projects to make learning interesting and fun. 

BATESVILLE – March 21, 2014 – Citizens Bank has promoted Charolette Royal to the position of Assistant Corporate Trust Officer, and she has recently attained the title of Certified Corporate Trust Specialist (CCTS).

BATESVILLE – March 17, 2014  – Danny James, Interim Director of the Transportation Department, was named today as the March recipient of the “Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award” for the Batesville School District.

BATESVILLE – March 13, 2014  – CeeBee the Money Bee, the mascot of Citizens Bank dropped by four classes at Southside Preschool to help students learn about money.  CeeBee visited the classes of teachers Rana Hilton, Vanessa Lancaster, Lisa McGhee and Jalesa Reed.

BATESVILLE – March 7, 2014 – Patty Duncan (center right in photo, holding banner), Executive Director of Family Violence Prevention Inc. in Batesville, visited with several employees of Citizens Bank as her organization became the latest recipient of a contribution from the bank employees’ “Blue Jeans Fund.”  In recognition of National Employee Appreciation Day on Friday, March 7, Citizens Bank doubled the donation from $500 to $1,000.

BATESVILLE – February 17, 2014  – Mandie Hall, Kindergarten Teacher at West Magnet Elementary School, was named today as the February recipient of the “Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award” for the Batesville School District.

BATESVILLE – February 17, 2014 – Technology and literacy were the primary focus of the three projects that have been funded in the inaugural Citizens Bank Education Initiative grant program with the Midland School District.

After discussions last year with School Superintendant Dean Stanley, Citizens Bank agreed to expand its Education Initiative to Midland, offering educators the opportunity to share $5,000 in grant money to help turn their creative educational ideas into meaningful projects. 

BATESVILLE – February 14, 2014 – Citizens Bank continues to bolster its branch leadership with recent promotions and a key hiring at two of its branch locations in Batesville.

BATESVILLE – February 12, 2014  – Paige Dirksen, Executive Director of the Batesville Area Arts Council, changes out a piece of art on display in the “Josephine Raye Rogers Art Gallery” at Citizens Bank.  The Arts Council regularly displays the works of local artists in the art corridor of the bank’s Main Branch in downtown Batesville.  Most of the artwork is available for purchase.  Here, Ms. Dirksen hangs a watercolor entitled “Shack in Field,” which was produced by artist Ruby Schaaf.  The art corridor was dedicated last year for Mrs.

BATESVILLE – February 4, 2014  –  Employees of Citizens Bank recently visited the Humane Society of Independence County shelter, which became the latest recipient of a $500 donation from the employees’ series of “Blue Jeans Fund” charitable contributions. 

BATESVILLE – January 29, 2014 – Citizens Bank has secured the services of several longtime employees of other area banks, including the former Bank of America, which has closed its Batesville offices.

“We are pleased to bolster the professionalism of our staff with the addition of so many talented bankers, led by Carma Osborn,” said John Dews, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Bank.  “Each is well known in the Batesville community and surrounding area, and each shares our commitment to solid banking principles and exceptional customer service.”

BATESVILLE – January 27, 2014 – Judy Belcher, director of Wood-Lawn Heights, recently accepted a $5,000 contribution from John Dews, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Bank, which helped furnish the chapel at the new Wood-Lawn Heights nursing home and rehabilitative facility at 2800 Neeley Street in Batesville.

The bank’s donation helped pay for pews, lighting fixtures, carpeting, a podium and even a grand piano.

BATESVILLE – January 20, 2014 – Alysia “Lisa” Horton, Media Specialist at Sulphur Rock Magnet School, was named today as the January recipient of the “Citizens Bank Above & Beyond Award” for the Batesville School District.

BATESVILLE – January 16, 2014 – A highly respected cardiovascular and geriatric expert will address Citizens Bank’s “Red Hot Ladies Luncheon” on Friday, February 14, in Independence Hall at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.  The annual event focuses on raising women’s awareness of health issues and promotes good habits for healthy lifestyles.

Citizens Bank Directors (from left) Jay Shell, Rog Rogers and Kay Southerland present a proclamation to Ladene Bray, honoring Ms. Bray upon her retirement from the bank at a reception on Friday, Jan. 3.  Ms. Bray concluded more than 43 years of service to Citizens Bank, retiring as Senior Vice President and Senior Commercial Loan Officer/Special Assets.  She began her employment with Citizens Bank on September 1, 1970.

BATESVILLE – January 2, 2014 – On Friday, January 3, Ladene Bray will conclude more than 43 years of service to Citizens Bank.  Ms. Bray, who retires as Senior Vice President and Senior Commercial Loan Officer/Special Assets, began her employment with Citizens Bank on September 1, 1970.

The bank’s Board of Directors, officers and her co-workers will honor Ladene with a reception in the Loan Department of the Main Bank in Batesville from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

BATESVILLE – October 18, 2013 – Citizens Bank today announced a strategy to grow into a major regional banking organization through expansion and acquisitions.  In a bold first step of that plan, Citizens Bank announced the hiring of one of the most highly respected Arkansas banking executives to fill the newly created position of President.