But the history of banking actually is a fascinating subject. Really. Think of it. The ancient Romans are credited with creating formal banking as we know it today. The Knights Templar essentially ran a bank. (Imagine your banker riding his steed across a continent protecting bags of gold and wacking heads in the process.) Kings of old bankrupted entire countries, abusing their own banks to fund wars and chase treasure. 
That's good stuff….

The fine folks at Investopedia wrote a really good narrative on the history and evolution of banking, tracing its roots in ancient temples to the modern system in use today.
Again, good stuff.

At Centennial, our history is a little less nuanced. Chartered in 1999 and starting out as a hometown bank in Conway, Ark., we've held on to that hometown ideal while growing throughout central Arkansas and across Florida, from the Panhandle to the Keys (with more locations to come…).

So, think of us as your banking knights protecting our hometowns from usury, bad customer service and unnecessary fees.
 

Everyone enjoys the convenience of a Visa Gift card. Now Centennial Bank brings you the convenience to your nearest branch. Drop in and purchase a holiday gift card anywhere from $25 to $500.  It’s the ideal choice for birthdays, holidays, weddings, and all your gift-giving occasions. Discover the advantages:

• Flexibility: Recipients can buy what they want, when they want—whether shopping online, in person, or by phone.
• Protection: It’s safer than cash and can be replaced if lost or stolen. Plus, it provides the protection and security features you've come to expect from Visa.
• Choice: Visa Gift cards can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted – that means millions of places to choose the perfect gift.

And because it’s a prepaid card, spending is limited to the amount of money placed on the card for your recipient.

Want to purchase Visa Gift cards in larger quantities?
At Centennial Bank, we can accommodate the purchase of several cards. The flexibility of Visa Gift cards makes them perfect for employee incentives or customer rewards.

Already have a Visa Gift card?
Verify your remaining card balance to ensure that your next purchase transaction is approved. You may call our toll-free number at 1-888-372-9788 and ask a customer service representative to help you!

Member FDIC

Because acquisitions are growth and capital management strategies, earnings excluding amortization of intangibles after-tax are useful in evaluating the Company. Diluted earnings per common share excluding intangible amortization for the third quarter of 2011 was $0.50 compared to $0.33 diluted earnings per common share excluding intangible amortization for the same period in 2010. 

“The Company has achieved yet another historically record quarter during the third quarter of 2011,” said John Allison, Chairman. “Even with our repayment of TARP during the third quarter, our strong capital levels are sustained considerably above the regulators’ capital requirements.  With this in mind, we are able to maintain the position of taking advantage of opportunistic FDIC deals as they become available.”

Randy Sims, Chief Executive Officer, added, “Not only did we see our net interest margin improve 40 basis points during the third quarter of 2011 over the third quarter of 2010, but we again reported marked improvements in the non-performing non-covered loans and nonperforming non-covered assets when compared to those during 2010. Our Company is no doubt pleased with the continued success in the third quarter of 2011.”

Read more on Centennial’s financial condition by downloading our complete earnings release here.
 

Fishermen's Village on beautiful Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda, Fla. will be the site of a friendly invasion during the last weekend in August. Fisherman's Village Pirate Fest 2011 will take over this quaint waterfront venue with a portion of the proceeds to benefit local charities the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition and The Yah Yah Girls. Centennial Bank is proud to be a sponsor of such a fun and beneficial community event.    http://www.fishermensvillagepiratefest.com

Centennial Bank | Behind the Scenes in Florida from Jones Film Video on Vimeo. 

 CENTENNIAL BANK KICKS OFF NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN

ARKANSAS AND FLORIDA MARKETS GET “BANKING THAT COMES TO YOU”

Centennial Bank recently launched a completely new marketing and communications campaign for both its Arkansas and Florida markets after 18 months of focusing on bank acquisitions.

"Over the past 18 months, Centennial has not promoted a comprehensive campaign, instead choosing to focus our efforts on raising awareness of our new acquisitions primarily in Florida," said Bob Birch, regional president for Centennial Bank.  "We feel we have reached a point where people know our name, but it’s time to tell the story of our bankers, products and community banking philosophy."

Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods (CJRW), one of the largest full-service communications firms in the region, was hired after an extensive search process to communicate the story to Centennial’s current and prospective customers.

"We now have a much different dynamic than even a year ago," says bank marketing director Lori Case. "Not only do we have Arkansas and Florida markets, but varied demographics within each of those markets.  We needed an all-encompassing plan that could speak to those markets individually, and we now feel we have that.  This is our first cohesive effort to communicate our brand to all customers at once."

Unveiled just weeks ago, the "Banking that Comes to You," tagline plays on the bank's core philosophy of community involvement.

"In our research with each individual Centennial market, one thing became apparent," said Jay Cranford, senior vice president and chief creative officer for CJRW. "Centennial is a strong community bank. So its bankers are very engaged with customers through community service and making decisions on a local level.  Its product line reflects the conveniences of always having access to their bank or personal banker.  In person, in a branch, online or on a mobile phone, Centennial makes every effort to be available for its customers."

The "Banking that Comes to You" campaign is the largest Centennial has ever created and marks a new direction for the bank in conjunction with the continuing focus of acquisition marketing.  Centennial has acquired six banks in the past 16 months through FDIC-assisted takeovers and led the nation in 2010 for total number of banks acquired.

"For many of our newly acquired customers, especially in Florida, our priority was to communicate the strength and stability of our organization along with our commitment to community involvement and an outstanding customer service experience," said Birch.  "It's no longer about the fact we are their new bank, it's we are here to be part of your community."

The campaign, which will run in both Arkansas and Florida markets through 2011, provides a multi-channel approach consisting of TV, newspaper, radio, outdoor, online and social media. 

"Though we have grown substantially over the past few years, we have always been the same community bank," said Case.  "This campaign allows us to continue our journey of making people’s lives easier and a little more fun, too."

For more information on the campaign or to view the new ads, please visit cjrw.com/centennial.

Home BancShares, Inc. is a bank holding company, headquartered in Conway,
Arkansas. Centennial Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary, provides a broad range of commercial and retail banking plus related financial services to businesses, real estate developers, investors, individuals and municipalities. Centennial Bank has locations in central Arkansas, north central Arkansas, southern Arkansas, the Florida Keys, southwestern Florida, central Florida, and the Florida Panhandle. The Company's common stock is traded through the NASDAQ Global SelectMarket under the symbol "HOMB."

Winners are:

Kindergarten – Aaliyah Torrez and Ashley Eick

First Grade – Yalissa Figueroa  and Yasmary Gonzalez

Second Grade – Mary Ryder and Celine Ponzoa

Third Grade – Emanual Martinez and Vanessa Martinez

Fourth Grade – Bellaliz Perez and Kylie Melton

Fifth Grade – Audrey Mathis and Michael Goheen 

Once the contest starts, remember to visit the official Stuck on a Truck website and watch everything LIVE via webcam

Keep listening to The Point 94.1 FM to hear if your name is called. Starting Monday, March 28, The Point 94.1 will announce a registered name Monday-Friday at 9 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm. When that name is announced, that specified person will have 9 minutes and 41 seconds to call The Point 94.1 at 501-433-0094 or 1-800-844-0094 to qualify. A total of 60 names will be selected randomly from all drawing locations and announced on The Point 94.1 between March 28 and April 15. After qualification, potential contestants must appear in person at Centennial Bank’s main office, 620 Chestnut, Conway, within three days of their qualification.