Union Bank CEO Jarrod Yarnell has announced that Shawn Bates has accepted the position of Chief Credit Officer for the bank. Union Bank is a $750 million bank, chartered in 1934, and continues to headquarter in Mena, Ark. with 10 branches.
Bates brings to the team over 20 years of banking experience with a focus in underwriting and portfolio management across commercial real estate, agriculture, business, SBA, consumer and equipment lending.
Yarnell said of Bates’ addition, “Shawn’s experience and disciplined approach to credit makes him a strong addition to our leadership team,” said Jarrod Yarnell, CEO of Union Bank. “As we continue to grow, adding a seasoned community banker like Shawn is important to our long-term success.”
In his new role with Union Bank, Bates will oversee all aspects of credit risk management, using his expertise to maintain the bank’s high standard of credit quality. He will primarily work from the bank’s Russellville 500 W. Main location.
“From my first conversations, it was clear that Union Bank genuinely lives out its commitment to its communities,” said Bates. “You feel the difference here—people know their customers, decisions are made locally, and relationships come first. I’m excited to join a team that not only performs at a high level but does it in a way that stays true to who they are.”
Bates holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and is a graduate of the LSU Graduate School of Banking. He and his wife, Alicia, share two sons Tyson and Brody.
As a life-long resident of Pope County, Bates said, “Russellville is an attractive community because it combines a diverse economy, outdoor recreation, educational opportunities and a relatively affordable cost of living.
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